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THE
AUSTRALIAN ZOOLOGIST
Issued by the
Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales
Edited by
A, F. BASSET BULL, M.B.E., F.B.Z.S.
and TOM IBEDALE, F.&.Z.S.
Vol 1b Part 4) ee
Sydney, May 10, 1944.
(Price, |10/-)
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ene d Sydney i
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Registered at the G.P.O., Syduty, for, transmission by. post as @ periodical
a Firclonics| Society dt New saa Wales,
Established 1879. ;
REGISTERED UNDER THE COMPANIES ACT, 1899 (1917).
Patrons.
~ His Excellency the Governor of New South, Wales
hie : The Lord Wakehurst, K.C.M.G.
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COUNCIL, 1943-44.
President: Noel Lee Roberts.
Vice-Presidents:
Garnet Halloran, B.Sc., M.D., F.R.A.C.S., F.R.C.S. (Ed.), Edward John Lees
Hallstrom, Albert Littlejohn, and Gregory Macalister Mathews, C.B.E
i Members:
Ernest John Bryce, F.R.G.S.
Neville William Cayley, F.R.Z.S.
Aubrey Halloran, B.A., LL.B.
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Theodore Cleveland Roughley,
BSc., F.R.Z.S.
Ellis Le Geyt Troughton, F.R.Z.S
Souef, Gilbert Percy Whitley, F.R.Z.S.
C.M.Z.S. A STG oe cai
Charles Francis Laseron. AEN eR OE HPO ees 3
Officers:
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Orricers oF SECTIONS (1943-44).
‘ i °
Aviculiural Section.
Chairman: A. H. Brain.
Hon. Secretary: P. F. Harvey.
Marine Zoological Section.
Chairman: Roland Oldham.
Hon: Secretary: Harry B. Lee.
Budgerigar Section.
hairman: H. Yardley.
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Ornithological Section.
Chairman: K. A. Hindwood.
Hon. Secretary: J. Allen Keast.
SUPPLEMENT TO THE AUSTRALIAN ZOOLOGIST, Vol. 10, Part 3, May 10, 1944.
THE
AUSTRALIAN ZOOLOGIST
Issued by the
Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales
Vol. 10.—1941-4.
WITH TWENTY PLATES,
And numerous Text-figures.
Sydney:
Printed and Published for the Society by
The Sydney and Melbourne Publishing Co., Pty., Ltd., Sydney.
London:
Wheldon & Wesley, Ltd., Earnshaw Street, W.32.
Registered at the G.P.O., Sydney, for transmission by post as a periodical.
SOLD BY THE SOCIETY.
INDEX TO VOLUME X.
INDEX TO SUBJECTS.
Australian Birds, Additions to the List of, by Gregory M. Mathews .. 161
mY IEGEVAKY IN ONBUNO, lon Doyo WANS ~. 55 55 66 60 56 G0 G0 ao oo CHE!
Basic List of the Land Mollusca of Papua, by Tom Iredale ........ 51
A » » 9 Freshwater Mollusca of Australia, by Tom Iredale . 188
Bird Papers, Overlooked, by K. C. McKeown and K. A. Hindwood .. .. 274
Ctiloceras Problem, by Tom Iredale.......................... 166
Freshwater Mollusca of Australia, A Basic List of, by Tom Iredale... .. 188
Gundlachia Puzzle, The, by Tom Iredale... .................. .. 290
Honeyeaters of the Sydney District, by K. A. Hindwood ...... .. .. 231
Ichthyological Notes and Illustrations, by G. P. Whitley (Part 1) .. .. 1
» » 5 2» » 2 (Barbe) ieee Lon
Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, Observations on the Life oe of, hea A.
Dunbavine Butchers ea ce se eee a cee ene : 125
Killer Whales of Eden, N.S.W., by C. E. Wellings ................ 291
‘ 35 InvAUStralian (HAS!) Ws: \ace AeA tas ord Ota See tice e293
Lantern Fish from Macquarie Island, by G. P. Whitley .......... 124
Lord Howe Island, The Land Mollusca of, by Tom Iredale... ........ 299
New Sharks from Western Australia, by G. P. Whitley ............ 252
Notes on Distribution of Australian Finches, by A.I.Ormsby........ 298
Papua, A Basic List of the Land Mollusca, by Tom Iredale .... .. . 51
Pouch Young of Some Australian Marsupials, On the etcenal
Charactersiofasbyaweboardmant en ele nee antec nee eet 38
Reviews:
“Coast of Adventure” .. . NUE CUP MTS teahen (heme ta, ae atc cer nts | LOO
“Furred Animals of Australia” ello, Sita ths Gest obAtec seat ey alee eean arr s (|
“Sailor Men’s Ghosts” .. . eis 1 cRO nC oN NCR EC eae oMienNGeN fod PPA
“Seashore, Swamp and Bush” . Pee orn) gleotray Mera eae te Bars Ma es Pesist wetaT weezy
Satin Bower-bird, A Contribution to the Biology of, by E. Nubling .. .. 95
Seals in Victorian Waters, Proposed destruction ................ 124
Western Australia, New Sharks and Fishes from, by G. P. Whitley .. .. 252
INDEX TO AUTHORS.
Boardman, W.:
On the External Characters of the Pouch Young of Some Australian
Marsupials). ofc. (cles aes eed ee 3
Butcher, A. Dunbavin:
Observations on Some Phases of the Life eS of ter eae
rombUhnDbHS 06 cs an acl o0 bo on Oe 5 : 125
Hindwood, K.A.: :
Honeyeaters of the Sydney District... .. -: 5... ..°-. 2) 22 3. 2. 2all
Hindwood, K. A., and McKeown, K. C.::
Overlooked ‘Bird Papersey.3 0 iis tse, ac sine te wie erence ea mon,
Iredale, Tom:
Australian Pearly Nautilus .. .. RR RMA eliotn ace etic
A Basic List of the Land Mollusca of Papua ebro enoemighstiack ise ah
es ,» Freshwater Mollusca of Australia ............ 188
The Gundlachia Puzzle... . ea Mab bein. cal!)
The Land Mollusca of Lord Howe Island . Dole AGE. sahel udtey natree pute g) ACR mR OS,
TheiCtilocerastProblenia. 35030 eee are OG
McKeown, K. C., and Hindwood, K. A.:
Overlooked Bird Papers Nema EIB Ree om ea Br eu og. StUeb
Mathews, Gregory M.:
Additions to the List of Australian Birds, and other Notes .. .. .. 161
Nubling, E
A Contribution to the Biology of the Satin Bower-vird .. .. .. .. 95
Ormsby, A. I.:
NotesionvFinehes! 2. 8 a bic ances Seen aes eee eS
Wellings, C. E.:
IaUbere WoW She JOCKEY, INNS oo oG 66 00 5a so 650 Go a6 50 od oo on iil
Whitley, G. P.:
Ichthyological Notes and Illustrations (Part 1) .. .. .. .. .. .. 1
5 (Part:.2) 3.002 see, Meee Lo
Lantern. Fish from Macquarie Island .. .. ait te, See es
New Sharks and Fishes from Western Australia RERRES By ole OS Sete. oo ~ “OLS
231
HONEYEATERS OF THE SYDNEY DISTRICT
(COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND) NEW SOUTH WALES.
By K. A. HInpwoop, F.R.Z.S.
(Plates viii.-xiv.)
(All photographs by the author unless otherwise stated.)
The family of birds known generally as Honeyeaters is distinguished by
the fact that all its members have a protrusible and partly-cleft tongue,
with a frayed brush-like tip, used for extracting nectar from flowers. Other
kinds of birds have brush tongues which, however, differ structurally from
those of Honeyeaters.
Their habits indicate a long association with a profusely-flowering
indigenous flora, comprising, in Australia, trees of the genera Eucalyptus,
Banksia, and many other trees and shrubs. They are attracted by almost
all nectar-bearing blossoms, whether on native or introduced plants, and
also live extensively on insects, fruit, pollen and other vegetable matter.
Honeyeaters are important agents in the fertilisation of plants. When
seeking nectar, the feathers about the head of the bird become dusted with
pollen from the anthers of the flowers. Some of these pollen grains will
most likely come in contact with the mature stigmas of other blossoms, thus
bringing about cross-pollination.*
A great diversity in size, coloration and external structure is apparent
within the family. All the species have well-developed wings, comparatively
long tails, and strong feet suited to an arboreal life. The bill structure
varies from the short bill of the White-naped Honeyeater to the long,
slender, curved bill of the Spinebill. In size they range from the small
Blood-birds, which bear a resemblance to Sun-birds, to the Leatherheads
and Wattle-birds, some fourteen inches in length. Several species have
bare flesh or wattles about the face or head.
In the majority of species the females resemble the males, though, for
the most part, they are slightly smaller and not so brightly coloured. A few
exceptions occur, principally in the genera Myzomela and Cissomela, in
several species of which the conspicuously marked males contrast with the
plain females.
Almost seventy species are listed as inhabiting Australia and Tasmania.
Many other species occur outside Australia, mainly on islands adjacent to
the continent. A number of distinctive Honeyeaters also inhabit New
Zealand. However, they seem to have attained their greatest development
and diversity in structure in Australia. Habitats include all types of country
where trees and shrubs grow—coastal jungles, forests, and heathlands.
The gregarious and nomadic instincts are well developed in many
species and these aspects have been stressed in the notes which follow. It
should be indicated that individuals, pairs, or small parties of species in
which these traits are much in evidence, often remain constant to a
*For a detailed discussion on this aspect of bird life refer to ‘Relations
between Birds and Plants,” O. H. Sargent, The Emu, Vol. XXVII., 1928, pp.
185-192.
232 HONEYEATERS OF THE SYDNEY DISTRICT, N.S.W.
particular locality throughout the year. The whole matter is largely one
of food-supply. A season of abundance will obviously result in a far greater
concentration of birds than one of scarcity.
In so far as the Sydney district is concerned a large influx of Honey-
eaters takes place during the autumn and winter months. Apparently
many of these birds come from the highlands of the Blue Mountains to the
west. They are attracted by the flowering trees and shrubs in coastal
areas. On the heathlands, at this time of the year, the Yellow-faced,
White-naped, Brown-headed, and other Honeyeaters mingle with the usual
Honeyeater population of the heath. The movements and call-notes of
such an assemblage are so striking that even a casual observer could not but
pause and listen to the joyous voices and watch the birds.
This mingling of species brings to mind some pleasant memories. I
recall a sandstone heath a few miles from Sydney on a sunny June day.
Honeyeaters were everywhere and while watching them it was noticed that
some Yellow-tufted, and Yellow-faced Honeyeaters, frequently flew from
the low shrubs to an isolated tree. They were seen to be flitting about an
old cup-shaped nest. Presently a “Yellow-face” flew to the nest and settled
in it, remaining there for about half a minute; then another bird took its
place. Scarcely any time passed without one or the other of the two species
being at, or on the nest, which appeared to be that of a Rufous Whistler.
They seemed to be indulging in a game of “follow-my-leader.’’ While one
bird was sitting the others would be in the branches close by uttering their
cheerful notes.
The majority of Honeyeaters build cup-shaped nests. These may be
flimsy and suspended (Painted Honeyeater), or substantial and supported
(Regent Honeyeater). Some species build close to the ground (Tawny-
crowned), others among the leafy foliage of saplings and tall trees (White-
naped). No species normally builds on the ground or in the hollows of
trees. In Australia two species, the Brown-backed and the White-breasted,
build domed nests with a side entrance.
Certain kinds of Honeyeaters are favourite foster-parents of Cuckoos;
for instance, the Pallid Cuckoo frequently lays in the nests of both the
Yellow-faced and the Yellow-tufted Honeyeaters, and the Koel in the nests
of Leatherheads.
The planting of as many nectar-bearing trees, shrubs and creepers as
possible, to attract Honeyeaters, will amply reward the bird-lover. The
deciduous coral tree (Erythrina corallodendron), which is a mass of scarlet
blossoms during the autumn and winter months, is recommended where
extensive grounds are available; it is too large and throws too much shade
in summer for most home gardens. The coast banksia, or white honey-
suckle (Banksia integrifolia) is another winter-flowering tree that attracts
many Honeyeaters, though it takes a long time to reach maturity. Two
excellent trees that flower in summer are the black-bean or Moreton Bay
chestnut (Castanospermum australe), and the silky oak (Grevillea robusta) .
Among shrubs, the quick-growing bird flowers (Crotalaria spp.) are recom-
mended. The range of suitable food trees is very extensive; those most
suited to the soil and situation available should be planted.
I have known a flock of a dozen or so Red Wattle-birds take possession
of a black-bean tree in a suburban garden during the entire flowering
period—November and December—and drive away other birds seeking
HINDWOOD. 233
nectar. The yellow and red blossoms of this tree grow on the outer
branches, but are more or less concealed by the glossy dark-green foliage.
The foreheads of the Wattle-birds became so dusted with pollen that the
feathers appeared to be yellow.
The bills of several species of Honeyeaters are too short to enable them
to extract the nectar from many blossoms. In such cases the birds will
often perforate the base of the petals to obtain the honey. I have observed
both the White-naped and the Black-chinned Honeyeaters doing this to
Crotalaria flowers.
The following observations deal briefly with the twenty-nine species of
Honeyeaters that have been recorded from the Sydney district which, for
the purpose of these notes, may be regarded as the County of Cumberland.
This area, of about 1,500 square miles, lies within a radius of some forty
miles of Sydney. Broadly speaking, two main geological formations, the
Hawkesbury Sandstone and the Wianamatta Shale series, chiefly comprise
the geology of the county. There is a marked difference between the
vegetation and climate of the two types of country, and these factors
influence the distribution of many species of birds. The Wianamatta Shale
consists of undulating country clothed in forest (much of which has been
opened out or cleared by settlement) with comparatively little under-
growth except along the slow-moving creeks. On the other hand, the
Hawkesbury Sandstone consists of rugged, broken country, largely covered
with forest and heathland, and with thick undergrowth on the more
sheltered hillsides and in the gullies.
The Wianamatta Shale is almost entirely surrounded by the Hawkesbury
Sandstone. Actually, the ‘shale’ extends a little beyond the western
boundary of the county in a few places before it meets the sandstone foot-
hills of the Blue Mountains.
The main types of vegetation, within the county, having a bearing on
the distribution of Honeyeaters are referred to in these notes as “shale,”
“sandstone,” and “brush,” or “rain-forest,” with the addition of “heath-
land,” which occurs on sandstone plateaus and in certain areas of a sandy
nature near the coast. Rain-forest vegetation is not extensive in the
county; it occurs principally in association with fairly heavy and rich
basaltic or alluvial soils in districts of good rainfall, and chiefly in the
southern parts of the county.
Quite a lot of the coastal vegetation near Sydney has been destroyed by
settlement or much reduced by the effects of bush-fires and wanton
destruction. This is especially so with some of the favourite food trees of
Honeyeaters. While we may regret this despoliation we can, in some small
measure, make amends by planting the right trees in suitable places.
Twenty-one of the twenty-nine species recorded in these notes breed
more or less regularly within the county. Two species, the Crescent Honey-
eater and the Black Honeyeater, have been noted nesting once only. One,
the Blue-faced Honeyeater, probably nests with us on occasions. The
remaining five species are stragglers or irregular visitors to the county.
The occurrences of a few species are based on sight observations only;
jn such cases the evidence for their inclusion is stated. In most instances
the various species are to be noted, at one season or another, in types of
country suited to their habits.
234 HONEYEATERS OF THE SYDNEY DISTRICT, N.S.W.
Reference should be made to some comprehensive work on Australian
birds for detailed remarks on distribution, nests, eggs, and habits generally.
The following books may be consulted:—The Birds of Australia, Gregory M.
Mathews; Nests and Eggs of Birds found Breeding in Australia and
Tasmania, A. J. North; Nests and Eggs of Australian Birds, A. J. .Campbell;
What Bird is That?, N. W. Cayley. Numerous contributions on the habits
of Honeyeaters have appeared in scientific journals. Some of these papers
are listed at the conclusion of these notes. Attention is directed to an
informative and detailed paper, “Notes on Honeyeaters,” by P. A. Gilbert, in
The Emu, Vol. XXIII., 1923, pp. 109-118.
The scientific names used are based on “A List of the Birds of
Australasia,” 1931, Gregory M. Mathews.
NOTES ON THE VaRIOoUS SPECIES.
White-naped Honeyeater. Melithreptus lunatus.
This dainty Honeyeater is, perhaps, better known as the “Black-cap.”
It occurs commonly throughout the county in forest country and frequently
feeds among the outer-foliage of the tallest trees, also in saplings and
shrubs. Some birds commence nesting as early as the end of July and the
normal breeding season extends to January. In the autumn and winter
months they move about in flocks of a dozen or more birds. The gregarious
instinct seems to be most pronounced in May and June. G. R. Gannon
noted (1933, p. 25) “a flock of at least one hundred” on May 14, and P. A.
Gilbert recorded (1935, p. 204) sixty-two birds in one flock on May 25.
These nomadic flocks are often seen on heathlands seeking nectar from
flowering banksias and other shrubs. The small patch of bright orange-
scarlet skin above and behind the eye seems to become duller (orange) in
the non-breeding season. The usual call-notes are,.a lisping chatter
resembling the sound made when one attempts to say the word ‘‘cheep”
with one’s jaws closed; and a single plaintive note. Nests are usually built
amongst leafy foliage up to forty feet from the ground, but are sometimes
as low as ten feet or less.
Black-chinned Honeyeater. M. gularis.
(Plate viii.)
Superficially, the Black-chinned Honeyeater resembles the White-naped,
but the following characters distinguish it: larger size; a more pronounced
white nape band, a black wash under the chin, and bright blue, bare flesh
above and behind the eye (red in the White-naped Honeyeater). The usual
call-note is quite distinctive and loud, a kind of continuous double chatter.
This species is sparingly distributed throughout the open forests of the shale
areas of the country, where it breeds, and seems to occur in sandstone
forests but rarely, and then only as a wanderer or nomad.
I once saw a Black-chinned Honeyeater secure a caterpillar which was
immediately taken from it by a Fuscous Honeyeater feeding in the same
sapling. Nestlings a few days old were seen to be fed on caterpillars and on
what appeared to be nectar. I have noticed birds searching the bark on
the trunks of trees for insects, after the manner of Shrike-Tits. Like other
Honeyeaters with short bills, they will perforate near their bases blossoms
with long corollas in order to extract the nectar. At Epping on June 15,
1940, a bird was observed doing this to Crotalaria flowers and similar actions,
HINDWOOD. 235
by this Honeyeater, have been recorded in the case of a Tecoma creeper
(T. radicans) (1911, p. 254).
During the autumn and winter months they move about in small flocks.
The normal breeding season extends from July until December, though P.
A. Gilbert has recorded (1937, p. 29) the species as breeding regularly in the
autumn at Bankstown. The deep cup-shaped nest is built of bark fibres
interwoven with hair, fur, or wool, giving it. externally, the appearance of
teased wool; it is thickly lined with hair or fur. The character of the nest,
with innumerable fine hairs protruding from it, is clearly shown in the
accompanying photograph. In settled districts hair is often taken from the
backs of domestic animals, such as cows. The situation chosen for the nest
is usually amongst the outer foliage of saplings or taller trees from about
twelve to sixty feet above the ground.
Brown-headed Honeyeater. M. atricapillus.*
The appearance of this species suggests a very faded example of the
White-naped Honeyeater which bird it resembles in habits generally; also
it has a similar distribution within the county, though it is not so numerous.
The feathers of the head, crown, and about the face are dull brown; the
nape band is pale grey and not very pronounced, and the bare skin above
and behind the eye is greenish-yellow, duller in the autumn and winter. It
frequents forest country in the breeding season, normally from August to
December, but sometimes a little earlier. I once observed a young bird, out
of the nest, being fed as late as April 5; this suggests that some birds may
breed during the autumn. Small flocks of seldom more than a dozen birds
move about in the autumn and winter and are often seen on heathlands at
this time of the year.
A friend told me how four Brown-headed Honeyeaters, seeking nesting
material, vigorously pulled wool from his jumper and hair from his head.
Some years ago I was much amused by the actions of one of these Honey-
eaters stealing fur from a possum sleeping in a hollow spout of a gum tree.
The bird would enter the horizontal spout, go to the possum, a distance of
about three feet, secure a few strands of fur, return to the entrance, look
around suspiciously to see if all was well, and then return to the dozing
possum; and so on until sufficient material had been gathered. Obviously
the semi-darkness of the hollow limb disturbed the bird. The nest was
amongst the topmost foliage of a red gum (Angophora) some forty feet
above the ground and almost two-hundred yards from where the bird was
gathering fur.
Blue-faced Honeyeater. Entomyzon cyanotis.
This is a rare bird in the county. It is represented among collections of
bird paintings done during the first years of settlement at Sydney, one
hundred and fifty years ago. Even in those far-off days it was considered
“rare and curious” (1906, p. 136). Later, George Caley, who collected natural
history specimens, mainly for Sir Joseph Banks, near Sydney, during the
years 1800-1810, remarked: “Whether it is migratory or not it would be
hazardous for me to say; as I have only seen it occasionally, although in
*See Austral Avian Record (Vol. III., No. 2, November 19, 1915, pp. 25-30,
pl. 11) in explanation of the change of the specific name of this species
from brevirostris to atricapillus.
236 HONEYEATERS OF THE SYDNEY DISTRICT, N.S.W.
different places. I once observed several of them frequenting a tree, where
they were busy in obtaining something that appeared to have exuded from
a wounded part. I do not know what the substance could be, otherwise
than a kind of gum of a bitter and astringent taste” (1827, p. 325). Many
years elapsed before the species was again recorded; in July, 1869, a
specimen (No. 0.21658, ¢, Australian Museum, Sydney) was collected at
Rope’s Creek. It has been infrequently recorded from the county since that
time. Mr. E. Nubling has observed this species at Palona Creek, National
Park (21/8/1921); at Gundamaian, National Park (April, 1922) and recently
he observed from six to twelve birds feeding in a flowering gum tree near
Wahroonga (28/2/1942); several were seen in the same place a few days
later. Some years ago, November 4, 1934, Mr. M. S. R. Sharland noted an
adult feeding an immature bird at Kellyville, indicating the probability of
the species having nested in that district.
Striped Honeyeater. Plectorhamphus lanceolatus.
The Striped Honeyeater is an extremely rare bird near Sydney. A
specimen was collected at Newington in July, 1881, by the late Mr. John
Waterhouse (1937, p. 66). Recently, Mr. P. A. Gilbert observed a single bird
feeding in a fruiting loquat tree at Lakemba (12/9/1942); this bird remained
for about half an hour and then disappeared. On April 5, 1930, I watched a
Striped Honeyeater feeding in a patch of coast banksias at Ettalong. which
is beyond the borders of the county and some thirty miles north of Sydney.
It was being harried by Brush Wattle-birds and Noisy Friar-birds; the
enmity shown to this bird indicated that it was a stranger. In New South
Wales the Striped Honeyeater is largely a bird of the inland areas. How-
ever, small nesting colonies occur in north-eastern coastal areas (1923, p.
32).
Scarlet Honeyeater. Myzomela dibapha.
This is one of the most beautiful and one of the smallest of the Honey-
eaters. The male is a little gem of brilliant scarlet and black (grey on the
lower underparts); the female is brownish and grey, often with a slight
rusty wash about the face and chin.
The occurrence of these birds in various localities seems to he
associated with the flowering of particular trees. On the North Shore line
they appear when the turpentine trees (Syncarpia laurifolia) blossom in
September and October. In the shale country, west of Sydney, they come
about when the paper-barks (Melaleuca spp.) are flowering. The sweet
tinkling notes of the species are pleasant to hear, though the birds may be
invisible among the thick foliage of some lofty tree.
In the autumn and winter they are nomadic and often visit the heath-
lands to sip nectar from the banksias, or some flowering forest gum tree.
Their numbers vary a good deal from year to year. During the great inland
drought of 1902 what may be regarded as an irruption of “Blood-birds”
occurred in the Sydney coastal districts. In May and June of that year
they were observed in hundreds and by far the greater number seen were
adult males. A. J. North records (1906, p. 92) that Mr. H. Newcombe saw
some boys near Cook’s landing place at Kurnell, Botany Bay, with about
thirty birds that they had killed with sticks and stones.
Nesting may commence as early as August and continue until January.
The nest, a small cup of reddish bark and rootlets held together with
HINDWOOD. 237
spiders’ webs, is generally built at no great height from the ground. A pair
of birds that nested at Wahroonga some years ago reared three families in
succession (1930, p. 264). Female birds are very unobtrusive and are seldom
seen except when nesting.
Black Honeyeater. Cissomela nigra.
The evidence for the inclusion of the Black Honeyeater in a list of the
birds of the Sydney district is based on sight observations only. Mr. Neville
W. Cayley tells me that about the year 1902 (a period of a great inland
drought) he found a nest of this species in a patch of burnt-out scrub near
Bundeena, National Park. Later the eggs were supposed to have been
collected by the late A. J. North, but North makes no mention of the
circumstances in any of his writings, nor can the eggs be traced. Many
years ago, Mr. Henry Grant saw a few of these birds at Haberfield, then
largely bush, at the same time that large numbers of Scarlet Honeyeaters
invaded an area of wattle trees in that district. About November 15, 1940,
Mr. H. Pier, a keen bird observer, saw a male Black Honeyeater in his
garden, near Penshurst, where it was seeking nectar from flowers. As far
as I can trace no specimens of this bird have been taken near Sydney but,
as the species appears to be largely nomadic, there is no reason why it
should not occur in coastal areas occasionally; especially if drought con-
ditions prevail inland. It is, for the most part, a bird of the interior.
Spinebill Honeyeater. Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris.
Spinebills must be the best known of the Sydney Honeyeaters. They
are constantly flitting about the shrubs of home gardens and assume some
unusual attitudes when seeking nectar and insects from the blossoms. Often
they hover in front of a flower, like a humming-bird, probing for nectar.
Few birds are as active as the Spinebills, restless and alert, they seem to
be always in a hurry, late for every appointment with the blossoms.
In flight their rapidly moving wings make a peculiar sound, a fact
which was noticed by the early colonists of Sydney, some 150 years ago. On
a painting of the species in the British Museum are the following remarks:
“This bird lives on flies and honey. When flying it makes a singular noise
as if the tips of its wings were beat together under the bird’s belly. It
hovers over flowers and extracts honey with its brush tongue” (Watling
painting No. 103, circa 1790). The reference to flies is interesting as recent
observers have noticed that young Spinebills seem to be fed largely on flies,
particularly blow-flies (1935, p. 99).
This species is well distributed throughout the county and is more or
less stationary. The nest, well-built and cup-shaped, is warmly lined with
feathers and is built among thick foliage or creepers and is seldom more
than twenty feet from the ground. The nestlings are very noisy when being
fed.
Tawny-crowned Honeyeater. Gliciphila melanops.
(Plate ix. (b) ).
The Tawny-crowned Honeyeater is largely a bird of the sandstone
heaths and scrub covered coastal sand dunes. It prefers dry, open heath-
lands and scrubby wastes; the kind of country often called “desolate” but
which holds many attractions for the naturalist. Only occasionally is it
found away from such places.
238 HONEYEATERS OF THE SYDNEY DISTRICT, N.S.W.
In early spring they congregate in small flocks and it is a delightful
experience to listen to them singing on a spacious heath; a heath carpeted
With boronias, grevilleas, banksias and many other beautiful flowers. I
have strolled along a bush track in the half-light before dawn, the “false-
dawn” some call it, listening entranced to the rather melancholy, flute-like
notes of many Tawny-crowned Honeyeaters, but seeing not a bird in the
dimness. There is no sequence about their calls. The plaintive notes seem
to be uttered haphazard, and they have a wistful tone that reminds one of
the Bush Canary (White-throated Warbler) of the forests.
Often they will fly upwards fifty feet or more in the air and sing as
they flutter down to earth. The nest is usually placed within a few inches
of the ground and is well concealed amongst grass or shrubs. It is cup-
shaped and built of strips of old bark, blades of dry grass, and finer grass
stalks. Often it is lined with the white downy substance from the seed
cases Of some common heathland shrub, such as Petrophila or Isopogon.
Nests have been found throughout the year, though the normal breeding
period appears to extend from August to January. Young birds are striped
about the head and underparts and keep much to the ground or low bushes.
White-fronted Honeyeater. Purnella albifrons.
The White-fronted Honeyeater has been recorded but once from the
county. In the Australian Museum collection there is a specimen (ex the
“Dobroyde” collection), No. 0.21661 adult ¢, “obtained in the scrub at
Middle Harbour in 1878” (1906, p. 75).* This is the only recorded instance
of the occurrence of this species in coastal New South Wales, where it is
considered a bird of the inland.
Painted Honeyeater. Grantiella picta.
(Plate x. (a) ).
This interesting Honeyeater is a rare bird in the county. It has a wide
range throughout eastern Australia, but nowhere does it appear to he
common. It has been recorded from the south-east portion of the continent
(N.S.W. and Victoria), principally during the spring and summer months,
though a few birds may linger as late as March or early April.
Painted Honeyeaters live largely on mistletoe berries and feed them to
their young. With a bird so highly specialised any variation in the food
supply would have a direct bearing on its movements. Thus there are
reports of its appearance in localities where it has not previously been seen,
and its re-appearance for several years until unfavourable conditions occur.
Most of the records of the occurrence of this species near Sydney are
from shale areas. This is because of the abundance of mistletoe growing
in those parts. In the sandstone this tree parasite is not nearly so common.
The Painted Honeyeater has been found nesting on a number of occasions
in various parts of the county, mostly towards the end of summer. The
lateness of the nesting season is no doubt associated with the ripening of
the mistletoe berries. The birds are fond of the berries of the mistletoes,
Loranthus cambagei and L. gaudichaudi, and have been observed feeding
among the flowering cones of a Banksia (1920, p. 273).
*Dr. E. P. Ramsay, in his notebook under date July 12, 1886, when
referring to unusual occurrences of birds near Sydney gives the locality
where this specimen was taken as Manly, i.e., “shot at Manly.” See A. H.
Chisholm, The Emu, Vol. XXXII., pt. i., July, 1932, p. 64.
HINDWOOD. 239
The nest is a shallow net-like cup, so open that the eggs are visible
through the structure. It is usually built among the drooping outer-foliage
of a tree and is seldom less than twenty feet from the ground. The nest is
so frail that it is sometimes impossible to see it among the leaves. Favourite
nesting trees near Sydney are she-oaks (Casuarina spp.) and paper-barks
(Melaleuca spp.).
The mistletoe berries are skinned before being given to the nestlings.
The parents are careful to keep the nest clean and they diligently search
for seeds voided by the young birds. This is necessary to prevent the nest
from being fouled by the partly digested berries which still have much of
the sticky flesh adhering to them. The parents generally swallow the seeds
passed by the nestlings.
The call-notes vary considerably. The usual call is a loud double
whistle, best expressed by the word “geor-gee” with the accent and
inflection on the second syllable. The birds also utter another call in
which the last syllable is lower in tone than the first. A loud single note is
sometimes given; also a soft chattering call when they are at or near their
nests.
Some recorded nesting areas within the county, during the past twenty-
five years, include Richmond, Wallacia, St. Mary’s, and National Park. In
the latter locality, Mr. E. Nubling watched a Painted Honeyeater building
its frail cradle in a Casuarina tree near Palm Creek, on October 24, 1924.
A distinctive character of this species not possessed by any other
Honeyeater is the colour of its bill, which is a deep pinkish-red, paler
towards the tip.
Regent Honeyeater. Zanthomiza phrygia.
(Plate xi. (b & c)).
The Regent Honeyeater is attractively clothed in glossy black, offset
with pale yellow on the back, wings, tail and underparts. It was, at one
time, called the Warty-faced Honeyeater from the nature of the bare flesh
surrounding its eyes.
This species breeds in the forests of the shale country west of Sydney
and in the forests of the shale cap in the Pymble-Wahroonga district. It is
largely nomadic and in some years is rarely observed in the county. In
favourable seasons there is a pronounced coastal movement during the
autumn and winter months, when the birds are attracted by the flowering
banksias and eucalypts of the heaths and forests. Winter flocks may
number fifty or more birds. They are of an aggressive nature, even in the
non-breeding season. Their food consists largely of nectar, insects and
cultivated fruits. Some of the call-notes are harsh and unmusical, though
low-toned, bell-like notes are frequently uttered.
Brown Honeyeater. Lichmera indistincta.
The distribution of the Brown Honeyeater near Sydney seems to be
curiously restricted. Nearly all the records of its occurrence centre about
Botany Bay (including Cook’s River and George’s River), Port Hacking, and
the Parramatta River. Extensive areas of mangroves are growing in all
these areas. This species is very partial to mangrove forests when breeding
but, like many other Honeyeaters, moves about in the autumn and winter
months in search of food.
240 HONEYEATERS OF THE SYDNEY DISTRICT, N.S.W.
Many years ago the Brown Honeyeater was recorded from Ashfield,
Burwood, and Dobroyde (Ramsay’s Bush). These places are too settled
nowadays to attract the birds, though they have been observed recently in
the mangroves at Homebush Bay, which is a nearby locality. This species
occurs in the mangroves and adjoining coastal forests at Quibray Bay, and
Weeney Bay, near Kurnell. On October 24, 1943, adult birds were observed
feeding a fledgeling in the mangroves at Quibray Bay. A nest of the Brown
Honeyeater was found in the mangroves at Salt Pan Creek, George’s River,
in August, 1930, by Norman King (1935, p. 187).
In the winter of 1930 a pair of Brown Honeyeaters frequented the
Sydney Botanic Gardens for several weeks and were often seen feeding on
the nectar in the blossoms of a bird flower (Crotalaria laburnifolia). Honey-
eaters, aS a group, are not noted for pleasant songs. The Brown
Honeyeater is an exception. Its rich melodious notes are surprisingly loud
for such a small bird, barely six inches in length, and resemble those of the
Reed Warbler. Other notes, of a harsh chattering nature, are very similar
to some of the calls of the Fuscous Honeyeater. The bird itself is quite
plain, being mostly of a brownish colour, with a small patch of white
feathers, and a smaller tuft of yellow hair-like feathers behind the eye.
The wing and tail feathers are edged with green.
Fuscous Honeyeater. Paraptilotis fusca.
(Plate xi. (a)).
The Fuscous Honeyeater is a common breeding species in the forests of
the shale areas of the county. It does not appear to breed in the surround-
ing sandstone forests. At the approach of autumn numbers of these birds
move towards the coast, being attracted by the flowering banksias, and the
blossoms of other trees. They are rarely seen in the sandstone after August.
Their food consists of such items as nectar, insects, leaf-scale, caterpillars
and mistletoe berries. Near habitations they can be attracted by bread and
other food scraps and become quite tame, even searching the refuse bin for
morsels (1922, p. 154).
The general coloration is brownish, lighter below, with a greenish tinge
of the wings and tail. A small patch of yellow feathers behind the eye is
the most prominent marking. The bill is light brownish with a black tip.
Yellow-faced Honeyeater. Paraptilotis novaehollandiae.*
(Plate xi. (d)).
The Yellow-faced Honeyeater is well distributed throughout the county
during the breeding season. It is gregarious and nomadic in the autumn
and winter months, and at this time of the year flocks may number from
a few to a hundred or more birds. P. A. Gilbert records (1935, p. 204) several
hundred birds in company at Waterfall on June 29, 1925; and a loose flock,
aggregating about 1,000 birds near Lakemba on May 6, 1936 (1937, p. 30).
There is probably a large influx of birds from areas beyond the county in
the non-breeding season. Heathlands are favourite haunts of these
wandering parties. In some years many birds frequent the Moreton Bay
fig trees in Sydney parks when these trees are fruiting. They are fond of
cultivated fruits and are considered a nuisance by orchardists.
*See Mathews, G. M., Australian Zoologist, Vol. X., pt. ii., April 30, 1943,
p. 164. :
HINDWOOD. 241
The nest is a neatly-woven deep cup, generally with pieces of green
moss attached to the outside; it is often built in a small tree or shrub near
a creek, at other times in a large tree and may be forty or fifty feet from
the ground. The call-notes are pleasant enough, though hardly melodious.
A care-free “chick-up,” repeated several times, is frequently given, also a
single “chick,” repeated five or six times and dropping in tone with
successive notes. In flight the birds often utter a single high-pitched note.
The general coloration is brownish, lighter below. A yellow stripe
extends from the base of the bill to behind the eye; this is bordered above
and below by lines of black.
Yellow-eared Honeyeater; Lewin Honeyeater. Meliphaga lewinii.
The Yellow-eared or Lewin Honeyeater inhabits rain-forests or jungles,
and the damp heavily-timbered gullies of the sandstone areas, particularly
where Lilly-pilly (Eugenia) and Coachwood (Ceratopetalum) trees abound.
It also occurs where thickly-foliaged trees are growing, often close to
habitations, especially during the autumn and winter months.
Nests are built among thick foliage at no great height from the ground.
Large dead leaves are generally used in forming the outside of the base and
on occasions scraps of paper are built into the nest. A nest found at
Gordon some years ago had several pieces of newspaper built into it and
on one of these the word “nest” was visible; the word preceding this was
“crows,” but, as no self-respecting Honeyeater would admit that its home
was a crow’s nest, the birds had concealed the first word by another piece
of paper. A photograph of this curious nest was published in The Emu
(1932, p. 230, pl. 41). The nest lining consists of a thick matting of plant
down, often from the bolls of the wild cotton plant. The birds feed on
nectar, soft fruits, wax scale and insects, some of which are quite large,
such as beetles and cicadas.
The general coloration of the birds is dull greenish, darker about the
head, relieved by a prominent patch of pale yellow behind the eye; the gape
is yellowish. The call has been described as a “prolonged quavering note”;
it always reminds me of a postman’s whistle.
White-eared Honeyeater. Nesoptilotis leucotis.
(Plate xii.)
This species is widely distributed throughout the county, but nowhere
is it common. Heathlands and rather barren ridges, where the dwarf
apple-gum (Angophora cordifolia) grows are its favourite haunts in sand-
stone country. In shale areas it frequents, for the most part, tracts of low
stunted vegetation and sapling scrubs.
During the hot, dry days of late summer and the inclement weather of
winter, White-eared Honeyeaters often leave their breeding haunts and seek
food and shelter in the nearby forests. However, such movements appear
to be very limited. Many birds will remain in the one locality throughout
the year.
Several species of Honeyeaters are known to seek hair or fur from
animals, as well as man, for their nests, but in none is this habit more
pronounced than in the present species. In the old days, when a sparse
aboriginal population roamed the bush near Sydney hunting animals, there
had arisen a state of balance, comparatively static, between the native and
his environment. In consequence, animals like the Kangaroo, wallaby,
242 HONEYEATERS OF THE SYDNEY DISTRICT, N.S.W.
bandicoot and possum, managed to survive in fair numbers. Here, then,
was an ever-present supply of nesting material for the White-eared Honey-
eaters.
With the coming of the white man and his deadly destructiveness with
fire-arms, the animal population was greatly decimated. Thus, we have
the spectacle near settled areas of the birds turning to introduced animals
for the desired nesting material.
Examination of many nests has revealed that they have been lined with
hair from dogs, pigs, goats, cows, horses, deer and from rabbit skins, in
addition to fur from native animals. Strands from hessian and rope are
also used. I have a record of White-eared Honeyeaters taking fibres from a
blanket hanging on a clothes line at Lindfield (August 14, 1938).
Where man is concerned the birds will perch on his clothing or head in
search of nesting material. In my experience it has always been the female
bird that does this; the male prefers the role of an onlooker. Many photo-
graphs and even films have been taken of such incidents.
In some localities, such as the snow country of the highlands of the
Blue Mountains, nests may be built in grass tussocks. Near Sydney they
are usually placed in shrubs or low trees and are seldom more than ten feet
from the ground. The normal breeding season extends from late July te
January. Odd pairs sometimes nest at other times of the year as is shown
by the following records:—March 19, 1933, Castle Cove, Middle Harbour,
feeding young; May 25, 1930, Roseville, Middle Harbour, building.
Like many species of birds that nest on or near the ground, White-
eared Honeyeaters will feign injury when disturbed from their nests in an
effort to entice an intruder away. In at least one recorded instance this
species simulated death (1917, p. 110).
Yellow-tufted Honeyeater. Lophoptilotis melanops.
(Plate x. (b)).
These beautiful Honeyeaters are found throughout the county, though
their distribution is somewhat uneven. They occur in small, loose colonies
and frequent the same areas for years; they are very partial to certain types
of country.
Their usual haunts are hillside forests with rather thick undergrowth;
sapling scrubs, and open forests where there is plenty of low growth in the
form of shrubs; habitats best classified under the general term of “bush-
land.” At times they are to be observed on heathlands feeding on the
banksias, more so when this type of country is adjacent to their breeding
haunts. Favourite food trees, from the blossoms of which they sip nectar,
are spider-flowers (Grevillea spp.) styphelias, bottle-brushes (Callistemon
spp.) and the honey-flower (Lambertia formosa). Swarming white-ants,
which are eaten by many kinds of birds, are often captured on the wing,
while the bark on the trunks of trees is searched for insects. Gum exuding
from a wound in a smooth-bark Eucalyptus irresistibly attracts them. - At
Milson Island, Hawkesbury River, many Yellow-tufted Honeyeaters, together
with five other species of Honeyeaters (Yellow-faced, White-eared, White-
naped, Brown-headed, and Regent) were observed eagerly licking the yellow
“sap” from a large wound in a grey gum (E. punctata). ‘This substance,
when analysed, was found to contain, as its main constituent, the sugar
known as raffinose or melitose (1910, p. 52).
HINDWOOD. 243
Yellow-tufted Honeyeaters are very sociable and as many as twenty or
more birds will assemble and, with much movement of wings and tails, will
chatter and flutter among the branches (1920, p. 91; 1922, p. 96).
Nests are generally built from one to fifteen feet above the ground in
ferns, creepers, shrubs or saplings. In a nesting colony at Wahroonga,
covering an area of about three acres, some fifteen nests were found in the
young growth sprouting from felled Eucalyptus trees (1922, p. 148). The
breeding season extends from June to December, or January, with odd pairs
nesting in the autumn if the weather is mild.
A pleasant memory of bush days is the sight of several Yellow-tufted
Honeyeaters fluttering in the outer foliage of a sapling, bathing among the
dew-laden leaves at sunrise on a spring morning.
White-plumed Honeyeater. Ptilotula penicillata.
The White-plumed Honeyeater, or “Greenie,’ occurs in the county
mainly during the autumn and winter months. The absence of sufficient
data does not permit of any definite conclusions as to its status with us. It
seems to be an irregular and uncommon visitor to the Sydney district.
Apparently the birds observed are wanderers from places west of the Blue
Mountains, where the species is common. Its occurrence in the county may
be associated with adverse conditions in its normal range. P. A. Gilbert
records (1935, p. 205) it as rather plentiful during April, 1934, in the
Sutherland-Menai area, and states that at that time “The summer and
autumn were exceptionally dry in some parts of the west.” Other recorded
localities and dates are:—Helensburgh, 10/6/1916 (several specimens in the
Australian Museum); Douglas Park, 3/4/1938 (several); and Balmoral,
9/12/1939 (a few). The date of this last record is unusual. The birds were
observed in a patch of open forest. I do not know of any nesting records
for the county.
The White-plumed Honeyeater resembles the Fuscous Honeyeater. The
main distinguishing characters are a greenish wash about the face, head,
and neck, a black bill, and a tuft of white feathers on the side of the neck.
In the Fuscous Honeyeater the feathers on the head and neck are darker,
the bill is parti-coloured, and the tuft of feathers on the side of the neck is
yellow. The usual call-note of the ‘‘Greenie” is a loud whistle, best rendered
as “chickoweet.” The species normally inhabits forest country.
Crescent Honeyeater. Phylidonyris pyrrhoptera.
The Crescent Honeyeater, also known as the “Horseshoe” Honeyeater
from the crescentic marks on either side of the breast, is a comparatively
rare bird near Sydney. It appears to visit the coastal areas during the
autumn and winter months, that is, from April to August, in small parties,
or pairs. It frequents the thick under-bush in forest country, principally
along the creeks and waterways of the sandstone. The species is common
in the valleys and gorges of the Blue Mountains, west of the county, and in
similar situations on the Illawarra range to the south. Apparently some of
the birds from these localities visit the lowlands after the breeding season.
Odd pairs may remain to nest in parts of the county; this is indicated by
the record of a pair found breeding at Waterfall on October 18, 1899 (1906,
p. 71). The nest was built at the base of a low scrubby bush amongst a
heap of flood debris and contained two eggs. The call-notes of this lively
244 HONEYEATERS OF THE SYDNEY DISTRICT, N.S.W.
bird are loud and harsh; the main call resembles the word “Egypt,” with
the accent on the last syllable.
White-bearded Honeyeater. Meliornis novaehollandiae.
The White-bearded Honeyeater is the commonest of our heathland
Honeyeaters. It is largely a bird of the dry sandstone heaths, scrub-covered
sand dunes, and the rather stunted forests close to the coast. Much of its
time is spent amongst the banksias of these areas, and especially the
heath-leaved banksia (B. ericifolia). The dense foliage of these bushy
shrubs provides suitable nesting places, and the flowering cones a plentiful
food supply.
Generally speaking, White-bearded Honeyeaters are stationary, though
some birds appear to move about in search of suitable food trees, perhaps a
flowering Eucalyptus or a coral tree clothed in scarlet blossoms. They were
very numerous in the large fig trees of Hyde Park and other public parks
and gardens of Sydney during January and February, 1902 (1906, p. 60).
This was a period of drought which had apparently driven the birds from
their usual haunts. f
This species can always be recognised by its white iris and a white
beard of hair-like feathers on the throat; immature birds have a dark iris.
Nests have been found throughout the year though, according to A. J:
North (1906, p. 61), more frequently during the months of August, September
and October, and again in April and May, thus indicating two main breed-
ing seasons, with odd pairs nesting during late summer and winter. Nests
are generally built in shrubs, particularly banksias, and are lined with soft
brown velvety down from dead Banksia cones. Several pairs of birds may
nest in close proximity without showing antagonism.
White-cheeked Honeyeater. Meliornis niger.
A noisy, showy bird, much like the White-bearded Honeyeater in
plumage and habits but rather more local in its distribution than that
species. It may be recognised by a prominent fan-shaped patch of white
feathers, which can be elevated slightly, on the sides of the neck, commenc-
ing just below the eyes.
The White-cheeked Honeyeater inhabits swampy undergrowth in forest
country, creeksides overgrown with a tangle of banksias, sword grass and
ferns, and the more luxurious parts of heathlands. It avoids, for the most
part, the dry heaths frequented by the White-bearded Honeyeater. They
are much given to flying fifty feet or so in the air, chattering the while, and
of perching on an elevated part of some shrub.
This species is largely a bird of the sandstone and is rarely seen in
shale areas. Not infrequently White-cheeked Honeyeaters visit suburban
gardens to sip nectar from the blossoms of various trees. Red bottle-
brushes (Callistemon spp.) , both in a wild and cultivated state, are especially
attractive to them.
The nest is very similar to that of the White-bearded Honeyeater; in
fact, I was of the opinion that the two were indistinguishable without see-
ing the birds at the nest. However, I recently read the following
observations which offer a clue to correct identification.
“The nests and eggs of the White-bearded and White-cheeked Honey-
eaters approximate closely, but Mr. E. H. Webb drew my attention some
HINDWOOD. 245
years ago to an infallible method of distinguishing them if the birds are
not present, which I have never seen printed. The nests of both species
are lined with the red velvety material from the Banksia cones, but, while
the White-bearded lines the sides of the nest, the White-cheeked species
simply places a pad of lining material in the bottom.’’—Harrison, L., in
The Australian Naturalist, Vol. II., pt. 2, April 7, 1910, p. 17.)
Nesting may take place throughout the year, though the main breeding
season extends from July to December. The usual call-note is a double
whistle—‘E-chip,’ not unlike that of the Crescent Honeyeater, but less
pronounced.
Bell-Miner. Manorina melanophrys.
The range of the Bell-Miner, or Bell-bird, within the County of
Cumberland has become much restricted since the early years of settlement
a century and a half ago. The species is represented among early bird
paintings (circa, 1790) and about fifteen years later, George Caley, a
collector of natural history (1800-1810) for Sir Joseph Banks, remarked:—
“Dell-bird or Bell-bird. So-called by the colonists. It is an inhabitant of
brushes, where its disagreeable noise (disagreeable at least to me) may be
continually heard, but nowhere more so than on going up the harbour to
Parramatta, when a little above the flats” (1827, p. 319). In 1898, A. J.
North recorded the Bell-Miner as occurring at Pittwater and at the head
of Narrabeen Lagoon (1898, p. 86). As far as I am aware it does not occur
in those localities now. Settlement and the consequent destruction of
forest areas, and disturbance caused by bush-fires, has driven the species
further afield.
A small colony of Bell-Miners was observed on the west bank of the
Nepean River, near Glenbrook Creek, in 1937, and again in 1938. Several
Noisy Miners, or Soldier birds were present on one occasion. These two
species have much in common, the same kind of flight and attitudes when
searching for food, while some of their call-notes are similar. Another
colony, of about twenty birds, was observed in the Menangle-Douglas Park
district, close to the Nepean River, in 1939. Generally speaking, the birds
favour tall, closely-growing forest with thick underscrub, in damp situations,
near water. However, those seen at Menangle-Douglas Park were in an
area of stringy-bark trees with an undergrowth of blackthorn shrubs;
quite a dry spot.
The plumage is greenish, relieved by orange coloured legs and beak,
and a patch of bare orange skin behind the eye. The birds are difficult to
see among the outer foliage of the trees, despite the fact that they are
constantly on the move and call continuously.
After camping in the midst of a colony of these birds I must confess
to sentiments similar to those expressed by George Caley; if not actually
disagreeable the persistent metallic tinkling notes of dozens of birds become
somewhat monotonous. Like the bagpipes, the “silver-voiced Bell-birds”
are heard to advantage in the distance.
Several Bell-Miners were seen about Coup Creek in the Thornleigh
district by Mr. E. Nubling during March and April, 1941, but they do not
appear to have settled in that locality. The species is common in the
Avoca-Terrigal district, a little to the north of the county.
246 HONEYEATERS OF THE SYDNEY DISTRICT, N.S.W.
Soldier-bird. Myzantha melanocephala.
(Plate xiv.)
Soldier-birds, or Noisy Miners are common throughout the open forests
and partly cleared lands of the shale areas of the county. They also fre-
quent sandstone country generally near its junction with the shale, and
where a somewhat mixed vegetation occurs. In true sandstone forests,
within the county, they are rare.
On the Pittwater Peninsula (Newport, Avalon, Palm Beach), and
adjacent localities (Narrabeen, Bayview), Soldier-birds are quite numerous.
While the geological formation of these places is largely sandstone, the
vegetation differs somewhat from the normal sandstone flora; this is be-
cause of the intrusion of the richer soils of the ‘Narrabeen,’ or chocolate
shales, and the presence of alluvial flats.
The species is largely stationary; at least, that is my impression. A
small colony near Chatswood is always to be found in a restricted area of
shale forest thereabouts. Elsewhere in the county birds are present in
numbers throughout the year. Possibly seasonal variations in food supply,
or some other cause, may induce nomadic movements. P. A. Gilbert records
(1935, p. 204) that this species visits coastal areas during the autumn and
winter months. :
They are gregarious and sociable to a degree, especially in the autumn
and winter. A single bird will perch on an exposed branch and commence
to chatter; it is soon joined by many of its friends, who add to the clamour.
When they detect a stranger in their midst, such as an owl, a snake, a koala,
or even a human, they make a great outcry—discordant notes that bring
every Miner within hearing to the scene. :
The early colonists of Sydney must have thought these birds a great
nuisance. On an old painting of this species, drawn about 1790, is written:
“This chattering bird often gives notice to the Kangaroos when sportsmen
are after them. It is pretty numerous, and always at war with others of the
feathered tribe” (“Watling” drawing, No. 96, 1906, p. 126).
August, September and October are the main nesting months, though
some birds may nest earlier or later.
Soldier-birds have taken kindly to settlement and will become quite
tame when fed on scraps, even venturing on to the verandah tables of bush-
land homes at meal times for their share of the food.
Red-wattle Bird. Coleia carunculata.
Thirty or forty years ago “Gill-bird” shooting was a popular, and often
a profitable, sport in the neighbourhood of Sydney during the autumn and
winter months. Thousands of birds were killed each season and many of
them were hawked in the streets at 3/6 per dozen, or sold to poulterers and
restaurants.
Shooters, after erecting a slanting pole in some favourite haunt of the
birds, concealed themselves in a hide. The birds in moving from one place
to another would settle on these poles and at times a dozen or more would
be killed by a single shot. Even though the birds have been protected in
the county for some twenty-five years they have not increased greatly in
numbers. This may be due to the slaughter in the past; it is more likely,
HINDWOOD. 247
however, that the destruction of habitats, by settlement and fire, has a
strong bearing on the matter.
Numbers of “Gill-birds’”’ come in to the coastal areas near Sydney from
April to August, presumably from the highlands of the Blue Mountains to
the west, where they breed commonly during the spring and summer. A
few birds remain in the county after August; some of these nest with us
and in this respect the following records are of interest:—Pair nesting at
Harbord, 2 eggs, 14/9/1929 (R. Blacket) ; pair nesting at Roseville, young in
nest, August, 1942 (R. Gates); pair nesting at Collaroy, young hatched,
summer, 1942 (A. F. Basset Hull); building nest at Lindfield, 7/8/1943; feed-
ing young, probably same pair, Lindfield, 30/9/1943 (E. J. Bryce).
The birds that visit us in the autumn and winter frequent coastal
scrubs, the more vigorous heathlands, and forest country generally, to feed
on the blossoms of the banksias and eucalypts, and on insects. They are
adept at moving about among the outer foliage of trees in search of food.
I have also seen them feeding on the flowering spikes of the grass-tree
(Xanthorrhaea), a favourite food tree of many Honeyeaters.
The majority of the “Gill-birds” in the county seem to be concentrated
in coastal areas. They are attracted to the shale forests when such trees
as the Ironbarks (Eucalyptus spp.) are in blossom. They often move about
in small flocks of a dozen to twenty birds, never flying any great distance,
but from one patch of trees to another.
The usual call is a harsh croak; at other times a short, loud whistling
note is uttered seven or eight times in quick succession.
The Red-wattle bird resembles the following species, the Brush Wattle-
bird, but can be recognised by its larger size, the red fleshy wattles below
the eyes, and a patch of yellow feathers on the belly.
Brush Wattle-bird. Anthochaera chrysoptera.
(Plate ix. (a) ).
Wherever the coast banksia and the heath-leaved banksia grow one is
almost certain to find this noisy and active bird. It is largely a resident
species, though odd birds may wander from their favourite haunts—coastal
scrubs and sandstone heaths. Recently (23/5/1942) I saw two Brush Wattle-
birds perched on the wire supports of a tall flagpole in a closely settled part
of Willoughby. They were uttering their raucous calls and seemed much
out of place.
Nesting may take place throughout the year. though the main breed-
ing season extends from August to January. In many instances only one
young bird is reared, even when two eggs are laid to a sitting. A friend,
Ralph Blacket, watched a pair of birds that nested in a tree near his home
at Collaroy. The birds used the same nest three times in succession in the
one season, the summer of 1940, with the following results:—(1) one egg,
one young; (2) one egg, one young; (3) two eggs, one young.
The Brush Wattle-bird is not normally found in shale areas within the
county, except, perhaps, near the junction of the shale with the sandstone,
or in home gardens where the cover is thick and suitable food trees are
growing. Interesting notes on the nesting of this species at Wahroonga
were published some years ago (1927, p. 302) by the late Mr. H. Wolsten-
248 HONEYEATERS OF THE SYDNEY DISTRICT, N.S.W.
holme. Nests are usually built in shrubs or trees at no great height above
the ground.
An appropriate name for the Brush Wattle-bird (it does not possess
wattles) would be “Banksia bird” because of its close association with these
typically Australian trees and shrubs.
The call-notes are varied but mostly hoarse and unmusical. A soft,
throaty chuckling note is often uttered when the birds are at, or near, their
nests. Quite frequently the head is pointed upwards and a clattering sound
made with the bill.
Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater. Acanthagenys rufogularis.
The inclusion of this species is based on the occurrence of a single bird
seen in the garden of Mr. Erwin Nubling at Normanhurst, near Hornsby. It
was observed by Mr. Nubling several times during August, 1938 (8/10/13, and
16) seeking nectar from montbretia blossoms. At a later date, Mr. Nubling
examined specimens of this Honeyeater, and he is certain of his identi-
fication. The bird seen had less rufous colouring on the throat and breast
than adult birds, indicating that it was in immature plumage. There are
Specimens in the Australian Museum from Dorrigo and Kempsey (coastal
N.S.W.). The species also occurs in coastal areas of Victoria. Normally, it
has an inland distribution in New South Wales.
Noisy Friar-bird. Tropidorhynchus corniculatus.
The Noisy Friar-bird, or Leatherhead, inhabits the forest areas of the
county. It appears to be more numerous in sandstone than in shale forests.
Like many other Honeyeaters, it is nomadic and inclined to gregariousness
in the autumn and winter. A few years ago, 1938, the swamp mahogany
trees (Eucalyptus. robusta) flowered profusely in coastal localities near
Sydney, especially in the Mona Vale-Avalon district. Honeyeaters and
Lorikeets were attracted in great numbers to this bountiful autumnal feast.
Not the least apparent among the noisy assemblage of birds were many
chattering and pugnacious Leatherheads.
In the non-breeding season they sometimes visit the heathlands to sip
nectar from the flowering banksias. A loose flock of twenty or more birds
will haunt a stand of white honeysuckle while the blossoms last. Favourite
food trees in summer are the silky oak and the Moreton Bay chestnut.
Insects are eaten extensively. I once watched a pair of Leatherheads
flying a hundred feet or so in the air to capture what seemed to be winged
ants which were fed to their nestlings. The same habit has been recorded
by Mr. Norman Chaffer (1933, p. 129).
The various names by which this species is known are derived either
from its appearance or its call-notes. “Knob-fronted Bee-eater” (an early
name) from the prominent knob or boss at the base of the upper mandible;
“Teatherhead” and “Friar-bird,”’ from the dull black bare flesh on the head
and neck, having a fanciful resemblance to the cowl or hood of a friar.
Such names as “Pimlico,” “Four-O’clock” and ‘Poor Soldier,” have originated
from its chattering, querulous calls.
A. J. North records (1906, p. 169) that in January and February, 1902, a
period of inland drought, Leatherheads were “unusually plentiful” near
Sydney, and that large numbers were shot in orchards, where they were
very destructive, eating all kinds of summer fruits.
HINDWOOD. 249
The nest is a large well woven cup attached to a forked branch of a
tree, generally among the outer foliage, from twenty to fifty feet or more
above the ground. The normal breeding season extends from September to
December, or January. The Leatherhead is one of the foster-parents of the
Koel Cuckoo.
Little Friar-bird. Microphilemon citreogularis.
This species is a rare straggler to the county. There are no records of
its occurrence before 1902. In that year specimens were collected at Kurnell
(May), Smithfield (June), and Pittwater (July), and later recorded by A. J.
North (1907, p. 341), who attributed the appearance of the birds to an inland
drought. A specimen was collected by Mr. Athol D’Ombrain at Pymble on
February 17, 1919, while Mr. E. Nubling observed a bird in a flowering gum
tree at Waterfall Creek, National Park, on October 14, 1923.
During the winter and spring of 1932 a small party of these birds in-
habited a restricted area at Harbord, a little to the north of Sydney. They
seem to have been attracted by flowering coral trees, and were last observed
towards the end of September of that year (1933, p. 306).
My sincere thanks are accorded to many friends for permission to use
field observations and photographs included in these notes.
REFERENCES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY.
1827. Vigors, N. A. and Horsfield, Thomas. ‘A Description of the Australian
Birds in the Collection of the Linnean Society,” Trans. Linn. Soc.
(Lond.), Vol. XV., pp. 170-331.
1866. Ramsay, E. P. “On the Oology of Australia,” Trans. Phil. Soc. N.S.W.
(1862-1865) , 1866, pp. 309-330. ;
1898. North, Alfred J. “The Birds of the County of Cumberland,” Handbook
Austr. Ass’n Adv. Sci., pp. 68-116.
1906-09. North, Alfred J. Nests and Eggs of Birds found Breeding in
Australia and Tasmania, Vol. II1., pp. 59-208.
1906. Hist. Coll. Nat. Hist. Dept. Brit. Mus., Vol. 2, pp. 107-154.
1907. North, Alfred J. “Additions to the Avi-fauna of the County of
Cumberland,” Rec. Austr. Mus., Vol. VI., pt. 5, July, pp. 339-344.
1910. Darnell-Smith,G.P. ‘Meliphagidae and Melitose,” The Emu, Vol. X.,
pt. 1, July, p. 52, pl. vi.
1911. Ashby, Edwin. “Honey-Lovers,” ibid., Vol. XI., pt. 4, April, p. 254.
1917. Stone, A. Chas. “Simulation of Death by the White-eared Honey-
eater,” zbid., Vol. XVII., pt. 2, October, pp. 110-111.
1919. Gilbert, P. A. “The Black-throated [Black-chinned] Honeyeater
(Melithreptus gularis) ,’ ibid., Vol. XIX., pt. 1, July, pp. 28-33, pl. xiii.
1920. Harrison, L. “Fearless Honeyeater,”’ The Australian Zoologist, Vol. I.,
pt. 8, July, p. 256.
1920. Ramsay, J. S. P. “Field Notes on the Painted Honeyeater (Ento-
mophila picta) ,’ The Emu, Vol. XIX., pt. 4, April, pp. 273-74, pl. lv.
1920. Le Souef, A. S. and Macpherson, Dr. John. “The Birds of Sydney,”
ibid., Vol. XX., pt. 2, October, pp. 82-92.
1922. Chisholm, A.H. Mateship with Birds. (See “The Idyll of the Blossom
Birds,’ pp. 85-100.)
250
1922.
1922.
1923.
1923.
1923.
1923.
1924.
1927.
1928.
1928.
1929.
1930.
1930.
1930.
1930.
1930.
1930.
1930.
1931.
1931.
1932.
1932.
1932.
1933.
1933.
HONEYEATERS OF THE SYDNEY DISTRICT, N.S.W.
Wolstenholme, H. “Notes from Wahroonga, Sydney, N.S.W.”, The
Emu, Vol. XXII., pt. 2, October, pp. 141-48.
Wolstenholme, H. “Meliphaga fusca (Fuscous Honey Eater) ,” ibid.,
p. 154.
Wolstenholme, H. “The Crimson Honeyeater, Myzomela sanguin-
eolenta,” ibid., pt. 4, April, p. 300.
Gogerley, J. F. H. “The Coastal Habitat of the Striped Honeyeater
me eee lanceolata) ,” ibid., Vol. XXIII., pt. 1, July, pp. 32-33,
pl. viii.
Wolstenholme, H. and Sutton, J. “A Bell-Miner Colony,” ibid., p. 67.
Gilbert, P. A. “Notes on Honeyeaters,” ibid., pt. 2, October, pp. 109-
118, pls. 20-21.
Wolstenholme, H. “Some Jervis Bay Birds.” [Notes on the Regent
Honeyeater], ibid., Vol. XXIV., pt. 2, October, pp. 117-19.
Wolstenholme, H. “The Little Wattle-Bird (Anthochaera chrysop-
tera) ,” ibid., Vol. XXVI., pt. 4, April, pp. 302-04
Sargent, O. H. “Reactions Between Birds and Plants,” ibid., Vol.
XXVII., pt. 3, January, pp. 185-192.
Barry, H. C. “The Little Wattle-Bird,” ibid., Vol. XXVIII., pt. 2,
October, pp. 152-53, pl. 33.
Wolstenholme, H. “Nesting Notes from a Sydney Garden,” ibid., pt.
3, January, pp. 183-191, pls. 38-39.
Hindwood, K. A. “A Curious Habit of the White-eared Honeyeater,”
ibid., Vol. XXIX., pt. 3, January, pp. 181-82, pl. 32.
Hindwood, K. A. “The Yellow-tufted Honeyeater,” ibid., p. 234, pl.
38.
Wolstenholme, H. “Triple Nesting of the Scarlet Honeyeater,” ibid.,
pt. 4, April, pp. 264-66, pl. 44.
Chaffer, N. “The Scarlet Honeyeater,” ibid., pp. 266-67, pl. 45.
Gwynne, A. J. “The Lewin Honeyeater,” ibid., Vol. XXX., pt. 1, July,
p. 32, pl. 4.
Hindwood, K. A. “The Tawny-crowned Honeyeater,” ibid., pt. 2,
October, p. 123, pl. 22.
Hindwood, K. A. “The Yellow-faced Honeyeater,” ibid., p. 140, pl. 24.
Elliott, A. J. and Elliott, A. O. “The Lewin Honeyeater,” ibid., Vol.
XXXI., pt. 2, October, pp. 92-93, pl. 21.
Chaffer, Norman. “The Gorgeous Regent Honeyeater,” ibid., pp. 140-
41, pl. 31.
Marshall, A. J. ‘The Fuscous Honeyeater,” ibid., Vol. XXXI., pt. 3,
January, p. 196, pl. 35.
Gannon, G. R. ‘Unusual Nest of Lewin Honeyeater,” ibid., p. 230,
pl. 41.
Hindwood, K. A. “Honeyeaters at Play,” ibid., Vol. XXXII., pt. 2,
October, pp. 123-24, pl. 21.
Chaffer, Norman. “Notes on the Nesting of the White-eared Honey-
eater,” ibid., pt. 4, April, pp. 270-73, pls. 37-38.
Elliott, A. J. “Some Birds of the Heath Country,” zbid., pp. 273-75,
pls. 39-40.
1933.
1933.
1933.
1935.
1935.
1935.
1935.
1935.
1937.
1937.
1937.
1937.
1939.
1940.
1941.
1941.
1943.
HINDWOOD. 251
Hindwood, K. A. “Occurrence of the Little Friar-bird near Sydney,”
ibid., pp. 306-07.
Gannon, G. R. “Some More Birds of the Heath Country,” ibid., Vol.
XXXII, pt. 1, July, pp. 24-26.
Chaffer, Norman. “Photographing the Friar-bird,” ibid., pt. 2,
October, pp. 129-30, pl. 27.
Hindwood, K. A. “The Painted Honeyeater,” ibid., Vol. XXXIV., pt.
3, January, pp. 149-157, pls. 15-16.
Hindwood, K. A. “Birds Inhabiting Mangroves in the Neighbourhood
of Sydney,” ibid., pp. 181-89, pls. 19-22.
Gilbert, P. A. “The Seasonal Movements and Migrations of Birds in
Eastern New South Wales,” ibid., pp. 200-09.
Roberts, N. L. “Spinebill Honeyeater,” ibid., Vol. XXXV., pt. 1, July,
p. 99.
Hindwood, K.A. “The White-eared Honeyeater (Meliphaga leucotis) ”
in Feathered Friends, pp. 33-38.
Hindwood, K. A. “Notes on the Painted Honeyeater,” The Emu, Vol.
XXXVI., pt. 4, April, pp. 319-20, pls. 44-45.
Gilbert, P. A. “Field Notes from New South Wales,” ibid., Vol.
XXXVII., pt. 1, July, pp. 28-31, pl. 5.
Hindwood, K. A. “A Rare Bird for the County of Cumberland”
[Striped Honeyeater], ibid., p. 66.
Hindwood, K. A. “The Black-chinned Honeyeater,” ibid., pt. 2,
October, p. 143, pls. 24-25.
Hindwood, K. A. “Nectar-feeding Birds near Sydney,” ibid., Vol.
XXXIX., pt. 1, July, pp. 40-44, pl. 9.
Chisholm, A. H. “A Curious Honeyeater” [Painted Honeyeater], The
Victorian Naturalist, Vol. LVII., No. 8, December, pp. 148-152, pl. xvi.
Sharland, M.S. R. and Hindwood, K. A. “Seasonal Notes,” The Emu,
Vol. XL., pt. 5, April, pp. 399-401, pls. 67-68.
Bourke, P. A. “Honeyeater and Ants” [Lewin Honeyeater], ibid., Vol.
XLI., pt. 2, October, pp. 163-64.
McGill, A. R. “Bird Movements in the Lower Cook’s River District,”
ibid., Vol. XLII., pt. 3, January, pp. 172-76. (See pp. 175-76.)
252
NEW SHARKS AND FISHES FROM WESTERN AUSTRALIA.
By GILBERT P. WHITLEY, F.R.Z.S.
Family GaALEIDAE.
Genus GaLEOLAMNA Owen, 1853.
Subgenus GALEOLAMNOIDES Whitley, 1934.
GALEOLAMNA (GALEOLAMNOIDES) EBLIS, Sp. Nov.
(Fig. 1.)
Diagnosis.—A Western Australian species of Whaler Shark with a
narrow interdorsal ridge present, though becoming obsolescent anteriorly
and posteriorly so that it does not completely unite the two dorsal fins;
the dark colour of upper part of head does not descend below level of eye
just behind the eye, though it does so before the eye; pectoral, anal and
caudal fins with dark or dusky tips; snout acutely rounded; usually 14
teeth (see description below) each side of symphysial tooth; head and
body together greater than tail from middle of vent (as 521 : 429 in holotype
or 747 : 662 in allotype) ; anal origin and end typically behind levels of those
of second dorsal fin.
Description of Holotype Female.
Head.—Predorsal profile not gibbous. Eyes large, with nictitating mem-
brane. Interorbital convex. Pupil of eye on level with anterior curve of
mouth. Snout acutely rounded. Head 3.9 in total length. Preoral length
equals width of mouth. No spiracle. Teeth of upper jaw subtriangular,
slightly and concavely notched on outer edges and with the rather gibbous
inner slopes not notched. They are all (including the small symphysial
teeth) coarsely serrated almost to their acute tips. The tooth on each
side of the symphysial one is triangular but not notably smaller than its
outer neighbours. Teeth of lower jaw somewhat compressed and slightly
curved backwards, each with erect central fang separated on each side by
a notch from its shoulder, the base is much longer than the height in most
of the teeth, or slightly longer in those towards the tiny sym*physial teeth.
Serrations, microscopic.
Dental formula: 14.1.14
14.1.14
Tongue rounded anteriorly, not notched below. Tongue and palate
slightly rugose (but paratypes variable in these features). Last two gill-
slits over pectoral fins. Nostrils about equidistant from mouth and tip of
snout. Labial folds mere notches.
Body.—Rather robust. Lateral line conspicuous anteriorly. A narrow
interdorsal ridge present but becoming obsolescent anteriorly and pos-
teriorly (occupying 137 out of 230 mm. interdorsal space in the holotype).
No keel on caudal peduncle. A caudal pit above and below. Shagreen
very fine, close-set, denticles apparently tricarinate.
Measurements.—Following the symbols devised in my scheme of
biometric measurements published in Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S. Wales Ixviii,
1943, pp. 114-115, the dimensions of the new species are as follows, in
millimetres :—
WHITLEY. 253
Fig. 1. Slender Whaler Shark, Galeolamna (Galeolamnoides) eblis Whitley.
Dorsal, lateral, and ventral aspects; upper and lower jaw teeth,
and a dermal denticle of the male allotype from Pelsart Island,
Houtman’s Abrolhos, Western Australia. —G. P. Whitley del.
Holotype Allotype Holotype Allotype
female. male. female. male.
H.1 195 289 ip it 104 166
2 240 369 2 81 118
3 91 130 3 39 58
4 104 148 4 230 322
5 236 346 5 27 38
6 494 704 6 27 35
7 20 27 7 37 56
8 18 21 8 65 97
9 102 157 9 54 74
10 no spiracle 10 40 46
11 15 24 11 32 54
12 60.5 85 12 51 83
13 85 114 13 (vide descr.)
14 85 124 14 158 283
15 6 9 15 50 80
16 6.5 9 16 277 397
17 29 47 17 46 67
18 24 45.5 18 45 59
B.1 696 988 19 28 44
254 NEW SHARKS AND FISHES FROM WESTERN AUSTRALIA.
Additional measurements are: Eye to first gill-opening, 95 mm. Tip of
snout to outer angle of nostril, 54. Inner angle of nostril to mouth, 53.
Ramal length, 62. Origin of first dorsal to that of pectoral, 137; to that of
ventral, 208. Gill-slits: 29, 35, 35, 34, 24. Vent to end of tail, 429.
Fins.—Dorsal fins spineless, the first much larger than the second.
Anal considerably larger than second dorsal. Anal origin and end of its
base behind the levels of those of second dorsal fin. Pectoral axil well in
advance of first dorsal fin but its last ray (pectoral angle) behind level of
origin of first dorsal. Ventrals as usual in the family Galeidae. Sub-
caudal notch high and small. Caudal edges trenchant; anterior edges of
other fins not flattened. Lower caudal lobe rounded.
Colour.—Brownish-grey above, white below. A dusky grey tinge
towards tips of fins. The vertical pupil black, iris pale pearly green with
grey ring. Junction between dorsal grey and ventral white ground colours
occurs at lower level of eye anteriorly to eye and at upper level of eye
posteriorly to eye.
Described from the holotype, an immature female, 950 mm. in total
length; weight, 10 lb.
Liver, pinkish, 9 oz. No ova, and uteri mere strips, in the holotype.
Museum Regd. No...............
Locality.—Off Bald Head, towards Breaksea Island, Western Australia;
hooked on setline in about 20 fathoms, over rough ground, in morning,
30th September, 1943. Bait: Squid (Sepioteuthis) and Mullet (Mugil).
Other specimens referable to this new species are:—
(1) A pair of jaws in the Fisheries Office, Geraldton, with dental
formula 14.1.14 — 29. Specimen caught off Geraldton by Mr. H.
13.13 —-26.
J. Murray.
(2) A specimen from Coventry Reef, off Garden Island, collected by
W. B. Alexander in 1919. W.A. Mus., Regd. No. P.667. Female,
935 mm. total length. Head, 230; interdorsal, 230; upper caudal
lobe, 240, approx.
Description of Allotype Male.
A male specimen of this new shark was caught at Pelsart Island in
the Houtmans Abrolhos, Western Australia, on November 5, 1943. It agrees
in general features with the holotype but the following characters are
noteworthy, as indicating variation.
Head (369 mm.) 3.7 in total length (1.375 mm.). Snout fairly acutely
rounded. Preoral length (114 mm.) less than width of mouth (124). Tooth
on each side of symphysial one in upper jaw noticeably smaller than its
outer neighbours. Dental formula 14.1.14.
14.1.14.
Teeth in one functional series with here and there a second row tooth
risen. Three non-functional rows of teeth in upper and four to five in
lower jaw, all these normally covered by gums. Nostrils slightly nearer
mouth than tip of snout. Snout to endolymphatic openings, 171 mm.
Predorsal profile gently convex, not gibbous. Widest part of shark (199
mm.) is at first gill-slits. Interdorsal ridge occupying 154 mm. of the inter-
WHITLEY. 255
dorsal space (322). Snout to vent (747 mm.) greater than length behind
vent (622). Biometrics (see table).
Additional measurements
(in mm.) Holotype Female. Allotype Male.
Eye to first gill-opening . .. 95 151
Tip of snout to outer angle
of nostril .. .. Be 54 17
Inner angle of nostril to
TITOUG I eye cect clot ciel | vans 53 60
Ramal length .. .. .. 62 100
Origin of first dorsal to ‘that
of pectoral... . 137 251
Origin of first dorsal to ‘that
Ofivientrali2aven oc. 208 309
Gill=slits|T-Vi 2 ees 2s 4. 29, 35, 35, 34, 24 47, 49, 49, 47, 45.5
Vent to end of tail Ree rea 429 662
Colour brownish-grey above in life, becoming greyer after death. White
below. The dark colour of the upper parts descends to lower level of eye
anteriorly but only to upper level of eye posteriorly to eye. Tips of
pectorals, second dorsal, anal and caudal fins dusky grey. Iris, pale yellow
and greyish-brown, with grey outer ring. Liver, olive-brownish, weight
2 lb. 0F oz. Oil, sun-extracted. Vertebrae, 174.
There are about four carinae on the dermal denticles, extending to
form spines along the margins.
There was a slight lateral curvature of the spine to the left below the
first dorsal fin. Vertebrae 1 to 31 before first dorsal origin, 69 below second
dorsal origin, 70 over anal origin, 87 below upper caudal pit and 174 to end
of tail. Testis, 103 mm. long, immature. Stomach, empty.
Described and figured from the allotype, an immature male, 1,375 mm.
or 4 ft. 7 in. in total length, weight 35 lb. Brain, teeth and dermal denticles
preserved. (Museum Regd. No............... )
Affinities —Galeolamna eblis is apparently a common sea shark in
Western Australia as I have seen numerous carcases of it in the Perth
markets. Though sold indiscriminately as “Gummy,” it may be distin-
guished from other butchered sharks in the markets by the interdorsal
ridge being too short to unite the dorsal fins and by the second dorsal fin
(even when cut off so that only a scar is left) being obviously very much
smaller than the first.
Galeolamna greyi (Owen), seems more a river or estuarine species
characterised by having larger, serrated triangular teeth in lower jaw,
blunter snout, no interdorsal ridge, and deeper and rounder build than G.
eblis, sp.n. The latter is most closely allied to G. macrurus (Ramsay &
Ogilby) from New South Wales, but the incomplete interdorsal ridge is
again diagnostic; it is always complete in macrurus.
GALEOLAMNA FOWLERI, Sp. NOV.
(Figs. 2, 2a.)
Two Whaler Sharks were obtained by Mr. S. Fowler in the Exmouth
Gulf area in October, 1943. It was not possible to preserve the specimens,
but photographs and a pair of jaws indicate that the species is an un-
described Galeolamna. The teeth of the upper jaw are more angularly
256 NEW SHARKS AND FISHES FROM WESTERN AUSTRALIA.
notched on both side and notably deflected outwards than in my (new)
Species from Albany and Pelsart Island and the dental formula
is 13.1.13.
PILI i, :
The upper jaw teeth are fairly coarsely
Serrated on base and finely serrated on
cusp. Teeth of lower jaw erect, with tall
fangs, not serrated, and without peg-like
tops. The symphysial teeth are small and
acute in each jaw. There is a minute
tooth on each side of the very slender
symphysial tooth of lower jaw; outside
each minute tooth the lower jaw teeth are
‘ remarkably tall. Teeth in one functional
nN series in upper, two in lower jaw, several
Fig. 2a. Teeth of holotype.
—G. P. Whitley del.
Fig. 2. Fowler’s Whaler Shark, Galeolamna fowleri Whitley. Holotype
from South Muiron Island, Exmouth Gulf, Western Australia.
—From photo. by S. Fowler.
rows behind these in gums. Mr. Fowler’s photos show that this shark has
a very long snout and small pectoral fins for the genus. However, the
dentition alone is sufficiently distinctive, especially as regards the median
teeth of lower jaw, to justify the proposal of a new name.
Holotype jaws in W.A. Museum, Regd. No. P.2503.
Locality—South Muiron Island, off Exmouth Gulf; male, about 54 ft.
overall, hooked, 20th October, 1943. Two others caught inside Exmouth Gulf,
Western Australia.
Obtained by and named after Mr. Stanley Fowler, Senior Research
Officer, C.S.I.R., Division of Fisheries, who has made many flights over North-
west Australia on a pioneering aerial survey of the fisheries resources there.
GALEOLAMNA DORSALIS, sp. n0v.
(Fig. 3.)
Snout acutely rounded. Teeth small. Five gill-slits, the last two over
pectoral fin. Body of elongate spindle-shape. Apparently no interdorsal
ridge. First dorsal fin very large, its height greater than the depth of the
body below it, its origin nearer pectorals than ventrals. Second dorsal and
WHITLEY. 257
anal fins rather large. Caudal and ventrals as usual in genus; pectorals
long.
Fig. 3. Sand Shark, Galeolamna dorsalis Whitley. Holotype, Carnarvon,
Western Australia.
Colour very light grey. No conspicuous dark marks on fins. Length
up to about 5 ft.
Described from photographs of specimens caught off Carnarvon, W.
Australia, in meshing nets by Marine Products of Australia, Ltd., in 1928,
kindly made available by Mr. Alf. Melsom, who was a member of that
firm. The species occurs along the N.W. Australian coastline, and was
known as “Sand Shark” by the fishermen.
Distinguished from other species by the remarkably large and high
first dorsal fin.
Genus Lonemanta Whitley, 1939.
To this genus is referred a new species of Galeid sharks from Western
Australia characterised by the small eyes; long, acute snout, with more
than 15 teeth on either side of each jaw; oblique nostrils, without cirrhi;
and lower caudal lobe conspicuously black-tipped. It differs from L.
brevipinna (Muller and Henle, 1839) from the East Indies in having teeth
minutely serrate in upper jaw, the lower caudal lobe black and labial folds
long; the Queensland form of this species, illustrated in my “Fishes of
Australia” (i., 1940, p. 107, fig. 107) also differs in similar respects; Uranga
nasuta Whitley, 1943, from Queensland, has serrated teeth in upper jaw,
but has plain lower caudal lobe. This genus has not hitherto been
recognised from Western Australia.
LONGMANIA CALAMARIA, Sp. Nov.
(Fig. 4.)
Head very acutely pointed. Predorsal profile sloping, not gibbous.
Nostrils entirely inferior, much nearer mouth than end of snout, oblique,
simple with a small inner point but no cirrhi. No spiracles. Interorbital
convex, subequal to snout, Pupil vertical, lenticular. Nictitating membrane
thick. Eyes small, their anterior margins on level with middle of upper
lip, their diameter more than length of nostril. Preoral length subequal
to width of mouth. Labial folds slit-like, rather long for this family.
Ampullae of Lorenzini and pit organs conspicuous. Second to third gill-
slits longest. Palate and tongue rugose, tongue with concave notch
258 NEW SHARKS AND FISHES FROM WESTERN AUSTRALIA.
anteriorly. Rictus less than twice as broad as long. Teeth of upper jaw
slightly compressed, with slender central fang with broad shouldered base,
minutely serrate. No serrations are visible on lower jaw teeth, even under
a lens. Small subtriangular symphysial tooth in upper jaw with a small
tooth on left side of it. Dental formula 17.1.17 = 35. Lower jaw teeth
similar to upper but smaller, 16.1.16 =
GRW
Fig. 4. Inkytail, Longmania calamaria Whitley. Holotype from Busselton,
Western Australia. Left to right: caudal fork, ventral surface of
head, upper and lower tooth, and dermal denticle.
—G. P. Whitley del.
curved backwards, with more slender and more widely spaced fangs; a small
erect symphysial tooth, with the tooth on either side of it smaller than
their outer neighbours. Dermal denticles (from top of head), hard, shiny,
imbricate, and with three to five keels, which barely cross to the more or
less entire margin.
Dimensions in mm.
H. 1 Snout to first gill-slit .. ..:... .... .. .. 366
2 Snout to fifth gill-slit .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 460?
3. Snout to anterior margin of eye .. .. che 163
4. Breadth of snout immediately before eyes re 152
7 Eye: horizontal diameter .. .. .. .. .. .... 20
8. Eye: vertical diameter .. .. ............ 20
OF bn CELOnbitallKss teen tars eyeaketse erste eee tnsree nets 151
11. ee ene cee JE) Bed CH. CMe EG 16.5
12. © FINbern arial 4508 ee onidiee aeiaten Gis keel Peete Feu Beal, eos 83
13. Preoral length . WI ocala Ota BD ST Se a og 141
WHITLEY. 259
NAL NACHO) Che TOMO Ol 6 ON daa BichooEeLGo do Bo-bS 142
15. ee 15
16. Lower labial fold .... . setil aia arene aseeaer ane 7
17. Height of first gill- opening . Bh danse Takacs Seen oa 174
—. KEye to first gill-opening ................ 190
—— OT] OU GN COMMOSLEI i pysur-sctrsice aan, pales Gist eles auch os) bea vene 98
—. Nostril to mouth eer ales aoe 63
—. Snout to level of corners of ‘mouth . een sees 225
—. Ramal length .. . HORTA MERA PG. ko CO Che 107
B. 6. Depth of caudal peduncle Sete ee: CNN. 78
7. Breadth of caudal peduncle.............. 65
13, Ail, Whee GAawickll le) a9 Se 56 on oe oolleoees Ge ca 7 CUS
22 PLOW EeTICAUG AIG] ODO ys. makin ee, the. vs) eRe tent eye 215
The holotype specimen consists only of a head and tail in the
Western Australian Museum, Perth, consequently no description of the body
and other fins can be supplied. However, the parts available are so
characteristic that no hesitation is necessary to name this novelty. It is
hoped that a complete specimen may one day be preserved and described
in detail.
The caudal fin is of the usual Galeid type with a notch well along
the upper lobe, whose tip is pointed. The lower lobe is rounded and
(215 mm.) goes 2.1 in the upper (453). A deep caudal pit above and below.
Colour grey above, white below, the junction of these tones running
along the lowermost level of the eye and visible from the ventral aspect.
Eye bronze-greyish with a grey ring and bluish pupil. Upper edge and tip
of caudal fin blackish; lower quarter of lower caudal lobe black.
Described and figured from the unique holotype, estimated to have
been about 54 ft. in total length. W.A. Museum, Regd. No. P.2526.
Locality Off Busselton, Western Australia. Caught on setline, by
Messrs. Nicholas, Soulos and Victor Veale, 15th November, 1943.
I am indebted to Fisheries Inspector L. Smith, of Bunbury, for his
enterprise in forwarding this remarkable specimen to Perth and for his
interest in shark-catches and shark oils which has been of valuable
assistance to me in my survey of the shark resources of Western
Australia.
Family TRIAKIDAE.
Fur VENTRALIS Whitley, 1943.
(Fig. 5.)
Fur ventralis Whitley, Rec. S. Austr. Mus., vii., 4, November 30, 1943, p. 397.
Off Bunbury, W.A. Holotype in W.A. Mus., Perth.
Drawings of the holotype of this new species from Western Australia
were prepared, but unfortunately too late for inclusion in the Records of
the South Australian Museum, so they are reproduced here.
Many more examples have been caught and examined, showing little
variation save in the dental formula. One female measured 1,240 mm.
long, with head 232 mm.; interdorsal, 330 mm.; upper caudal lobe, 222 mm.;
ial, te
and dental formula
36.
Four males gave: Length, 1,308-1,335 mm.; head, 245-253 mm.; inter-
260 NEW SHARKS AND FISHES FROM WESTERN AUSTRALIA.
Fig. 5. Whiskery Shark, Fur ventralis Whitley. Holotype female from Bun-
bury, Western Australia. Lateral view, upper and lower teeth,
upper and lower surfaces of head.
—G. P. Whitley del.
dorsal, 334-355 mm.; upper caudal lobe, 222-250 mm. Dental formula:
13.1.15 15.1.16
37 42.
Family PLOTOSIDAE.
TANDANUS BOSTOCKI, Sp. Ov.
Plotosus uwnicolor Castelnau, Proc. Zocl. Acclim. Soc. Vict., ii., May 10, 1873,
p. 141. Preocc. by P. unicolor Cuvier & Valenciennes, Hist. Nat. Poiss.,
Xv., 1840, p. 426; ed. 2, p. 316.
Castelnau’s species requires a new name. It was described as having
been “found by Mr. Bostock in the small water-holes of the interior of
Western Australia,” but the “interior,” in Bostock’s time was probably
not many miles from the coast. I re-name the species after the Rev.
Bostock.
The W.A. Museum has specimens of this species from Serpentine which
show that it is referable to Tandanus, having the ventral fins far forward
of the caudo-dorsal fin and lacking the dendritic appendage on the vent.
The barbels are slightly shorter than the “barbs” mentioned by
Castelnau, and the eye is one-third of the snout in the largest specimen
(holotype of the new species), 370 mm. in total length (W.A. Mus. Regd.
No. P.241), but this is due to growth, small ones being as described by
Castelnau.
D.i., 6. A. about 68 + C.5 caudal, and approximately 50 caudo-dorsal
rays visible posteriorly before being covered by adipose tissue anteriorly.
Thus D. + C. + A. = about 123 minimum. P.i., 14. V.C., 14.
Length of head, 65 mm.; its height, 40, and width, 51. Depth below
WHITLEY. 261
first dorsal, 54. Eye, 9; snout, 28; interorbital, 24. Nasal barbels, about 24
(the left one bifid, abnormal). Maxillary barbel does not reach gill-
Opening.
Anterior nostrils opening forward over upper lip. Teeth peglike, white,
in broader than long patches on intermaxillaries and mandibles and in a
crescent on vomer. Gill-membranes meeting across isthmus. Gill-rakers
short and slender, 14 on lower limb of first branchial arch, the posterior
face of which has a crenulate margin and bears seven or eight soft
processes.
Axillary pore minute. First dorsal behind head, its spine 33 mm. long,
its longest (second) ray (44 mm.) less than depth of body. Pectoral spine,
32 mm., its longest (third) ray, 39. Dark greyish to brownish, rather marbled
on fins.
From Tandanus tandanus (Mitchell), the West Australian species
differs in being more elongate, with a great interspace between the first
dorsal and the caudo-dorsal fin: West Australians records of tandanus are
referable to this new form.
Family OPHICHTHYIDAE.
CALAMURAENA, gen. Nov.
Orthotype, OPHICHTHYS CALAMUS Gunther, 1870.
Head short, broadly conical, body very elongate. Dorsal fin beginning
above head, well in front of pectoral fin. Pectoral fin very small, rounded.
Tail two-thirds of length, or twice the length of the body. Head small,
one-fifth of distance between gill-opening and vent. Cleft of mouth one-
fourth of length of head. Teeth small, in two series anteriorly, reduced
to one series posteriorly. Vomerine teeth few, scattered.
The orthotype of the genus has been placed under Cirrhomuraena Kaup,
1856 (type, C. chinensis Kaup), from which it differs in proportions and
teeth formulae. In that genus the dorsal fin begins above the gill-opening,
the pectoral fin is long and narrow, the head long and elongate, the cleft
of the mouth long, two-fifths the length of the head; the teeth small, of
equal size, in double or triple series, forming broad bands.
CALAMURAENA CALAMUS (Gunther) .
(Fig. 6.)
Ophichthys calamus Gunther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., viii., 1870, p. 74. Fre-
mantle, W.A. Type in British Museum.
No illustration of this species having been published, I now figure an
example in the Western Australian Museum, Perth, from Claremont,
Swan River, July, 1939, Regd. No. P.1959; it is a little more than two feet
long (618 mm.) and has the following characters.
Head (38 mm.) 4.7 in distance between gill-opening and vent (171).
Cleft of mouth (8.5) 4.4 in head. Eye (3) 1.6 in snout (5) which is equal
to height of gill-opening; gill-openings 7 mm. apart. Tip of snout to
origin on dorsal, 21; length of pectoral, 10; tail, 409; depth of body, 15 mm.
Posterior nostril in bulge in upper lip below anterior part of eye. Eyes
adnate to head, lower jaw just reaching nostril. Anterior nostrils large.
Lower lip with spaced ciliae. Throat grooved. Tongue not free. Pores
around eyes and chin, others at preopercular angle and along lateral line.
Integument plicate, mucous. Small depressible cardiform teeth in a broad-
262 NEW SHARKS AND FISHES FROM WESTERN AUSTRALIA.
arrow formation, in 1 to 3 series along upper jaw and vomer. Similar teeth
on dentaries separated by a symphysial gap. A few teeth in advance of
mouth under snout.
Fig. 6. Eel, Calamuraena calamus (Gunther). A specimen from Clare-
mont, Swan River, Western Australia. Also head and dentition
enlarged.
—G. P. Whitley del.
Dorsal and anal fins in grooves for the most part, elevated before the
end of the tail, whose tip is rounded and provided with small thorn-like
asperities. Brown above, pale yellowish below, whitish from chin to vent,
the junction of the dark and light areas below lateral line. Fins cream.
Anal and dorsal infuscated posteriorly; some brown dots each side of anal
towards end of tail.
Others characters as given by Gunther.
Family ECHELIDAE.
Genus SCOLECENCHELYS Ogilby, 1897.
SCOLECENCHELYS TASMANIENSIS SMITHI, subsp. nov.
Body anguilliform, the depth (5.5 mm.) 4.1 in the head (23). Head
nearly 12 in total length (275) and 4.3 in the space between gill-opening
and vent (100). Eye (2) 2.2 in snout (4.5) and 11.5 in head, less than
interorbital (2.5). Cleft of mouth extending somewhat behind eye, its
length (5) 4.6 in head. Anterior nostrils tube-like with small flap at
orifice; posterior nostrils below anterior portion of eye. Teeth in single
rows on jaws and along vomer. Pores around eye, on snout, along jaws, at
preopercular angle and along lateral line. Gill-openings slightly less than
eye. Jugostegalia present. Vent in anterior half of fish, its distance from
snout (123 mm.) 1.2 in the tail (152).
WHITLEY. 263
Dorsal and anal fins low. Predorsal length (135 mm.) less than dis-
tance from dorsal origin to end of tail (140). Origin of dorsal to level of
vent (20) less than head. About eight caudal rays.
Colour pale brownish yellow in formalin, the upper portions speckled
with brown dots.
Described from the holotype of the subspecies, an eel nearly 11 inches
long, from Quindalup, Geographe Bay, Western Australia; W.A. Museum.,
Regd. No. P.704.
A larger specimen, paratype of the subspecies, from Rottnest Island
(W.A. Museum, Regd. No. P.1016), has depth (8 mm.) 3.6 in the head (29)
which is 12 in total length (c.350) and 4.3 in space between gill-opening
and vent (125). Eye (2.1) 2.3 in snout (5) and 13.8 in head; less than
interorbital (3.5). Cleft of mouth (6) 4.8 in head. Snout to vent (154)
1.2 in length of tail (c.196). Predorsal length (c.180) more than distance
from origin of dorsal to end of tail (170). Origin of dorsal to level of vent
(19) much less than head.
This indicates, as might be expected, some variation in the position of
the origin of the dorsal fin as the fish grows. The snout is relatively
shorter than in the Tasmanian type of Muraenichthys tasmaniensis
McCulloch (Biol. Res. Endeav., i., 1911, p. 19, fig. 5), and the gape of the
mouth more extensive. These differences, in conjunction with the uniserial
teeth induce me to provide a new name for the Western Australian sub-
species.
Named in honour of Mr. L. Smith, for some time Fisheries Inspector at
Bunbury, Western Australia, who has assisted me in field work on sharks
and fishes.
Distinguished from other Australian Muraenichthys and Scolecenchelys
as follows. From breviceps, devisi, ogilbyi and godeffroyi by having the
dorsal fin originating behind instead of well before level of vent. S.
australis has dorsal origin only slightly behind vent, tasmaniensis has
already been compared, whilst iredalei has depth 3.5 in head, eye equal to
interorbital and more rudimentary fins.
Family GALAXIIDAE.
GALAXIAS TRUTTACEUS HESPERIUS, subsp. nov.
D.10; A.13; P.15; V.7; C.16.
Head (29 mm.) 4.3, depth of body (23.5) 5.2 in standard length (125)
or 5.2 and 6.1 respectively in total length. Eye, 6 mm.; snout, 8; inter-
orbital, 12; depth of caudal peduncle; 11; width of body, 18.5; depth of
head, 18; postorbital, 15; predorsal length, 89.
Profile not excavated over nape. Lower jaw slightly the longer.
Maxillary extending to below anterior third of eye. Interorbital flat.
Tubular anterior nostril higher than wide; posterior nostril a simple orifice
between eye and three large mucous pores. Upper surface of snout with
villiform processes. Curved teeth on jaws, tongue and entopterygoids. Ten
Short slender gill-rakers on lower limb of first gill-arch.
Form elongate, 55 myomeres to just before caudal base; 58 pores along
lateral lines.
Dorsal fin with three simple and seven branched rays, its base (13 mm.)
shorter than that of anal (16.5). Dorsal and anal, when laid back, not
extending to caudal base. Height of anal fin (16) more than that of dorsal
264 NEW SHARKS AND FISHES FROM WESTERN AUSTRALIA.
(12). Origin on anal slightly behind that of dorsal (using Scott’s formula—
see remarks below—the value is 13.3). Posterior ten anal rays branched.
Ventral fin 14 mm. long, not reaching the large vent. Ventral origin
notably nearer base of caudal than tip of snout. Origin of anal to that of
ventral, 27 mm. Pectoral rounded, 15 mm. long, extending much less than
half the distance from its base to base of ventral (38). Caudal emarginate,
with moderate procurrent ridges.
Colour, in formalin, dusky olivaceous above, dirty yellowish below;
snout, opercles and fins dusky olivaceous, but not black-tipped. A vertical
dusky bar, with light yellowish boundary behind it, over pectoral base.
Back and sides with numerous round dusky spots, not ocellated, smaller
than eye, in more than thirty transverse series, and most distinct behind
level of ventrals, corresponding to colour-phase C. of Scott’s classification
(Proc. Roy. Soc. Tas., 1940 (1941), p. 65). A short diffuse dark oblique mark
below eye.
Described from the holotype of the subspecies, a specimen 5.3/5th
inches in total length.
Locality—Creek flowing into Taylor’s Inlet (Nannarup), Albany district,
Western Australia; caught on line by Mr. Jackson about 10th December,
1943, and forwarded by Inspector J. E. Munro, of the State Fisheries
Department. Holotype, W.A. Mus., Regd. No. P.2580.
The Australian Museum, Sydney, has two smaller specimens from the
Albany district (No. 1.13280) with vertical bars behind pectorals, about 15
transverse rows of spots on body and no dark tips to fins. Length, 22
inches. These may be designated paratypes of the subspecies.
In Regan’s Key (Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1905, ii. (1906), p. 365), the
Nannarup specimen comes down to No. 17, G. rostratus Klunzinger, from
the “Mersey River,” i.e., Murray River, South Australia, but this is an
instance of how a dichotomous key can mislead, not only as regards
identification, but, as keys often do, as to the relationship of species. The
key-characters relied upon by Regan have been shown, by later research, to
be variable. Galaxias rostratus is slenderer than truttaceus with very
different proportions, coloration, situation of ventrals, etc.
The Albany district specimens agree well with Esox truttaceus Cuvier
(Régne Anim., ed. 1, ii., ‘1817’ = December, 1816, p. 184), the type of the
genus Galaxias, which came from Tasmania, and has been studied in detail
in recent years by E. O. G. Scott. Galaxias truttaceus has been recorded
from Tasmania, the islands of Bass Strait, Victoria, South Australia, and
New Zealand, so that the Nannarup record greatly extends its range. How-
ever, it seems advisable to provide a distinctive name for the W.A. form as
it differs from the Tasmanian type in fin-counts and inasmuch as the
pectoral and anal fins do not extend back so far.
Using Scott’s formula for expressing the relationship between dorsal
and anal fins in another allied species, Galaxias scopus, from Bass Strait
(Proc. Roy. Soc. Tas., 1935 (1936), pp. 98-99), the Nannarup specimen gives
A-D
ee 86 10) = leh
(d-D) + (a-A)
Where A = length from snout to origin of anal; a = length to end of anal
base; D = length to origin of dorsal and d = length to end of dorsal base.
WHITLEY. 265
The 13.3 of the W.A. specimen compares with the 0 to 2 for Galaxias
scopus, and 14.3 for G. truttaceus, but these differences seem to me less
significant than the lengthening of the trunk, different fin-counts, and less
conspicuous colour markings of the W.A. specimen in comparison with
G. scopus.
Scott has also detailed (Proc. Roy. Soc. Tas., 1940 (1941), p. 66, table
iii.), the variation of body- and fin-ratios in the three colour-phases of G.
truttaceus. My Nannarup specimen resembles most closely his Figs. 13 and
14, and colour-phases Ca and Cb, but is much longer than his fishes and
lacks their nuchal concavity. Some significant differences between his
largest specimen and mine are as follows:—
Scott’s Nannarup
maximum. type.
Standard length .. .. rainy 109.1 mm. 125 mm.
Head in standard length Bana: 5.1 times 4.3 times
Eye in head .. .. : Bde chs Ba a 47°C
Eye in interorbital - Nee Tavs Deiat ies 280%) We
Length of pectoral fin in “pec-
toral-ventral interspace . .. OF 2) ee
Combined bases of dorsal and
anal fins in standard length Co ee CSOT oe
There is less discrepancy in other ratios.
It is noteworthy that many south-western Australian fishes are much
larger than their eastern Australian allies, and this Galazias is another
case in point.
The existence in Western Australia of a second species of Galazias (G.
occidentalis Ogilby, having long been known from that State) is of consider-
able zoogeographical interest, but whilst G. occidentalis lives in fresh water
along the lower western coast, G. truttaceus hesperius comes from the
southern coastline.
The Australian Museum, Sydney, has specimens of Galazxias occidentalis
from Boyup, Tambellup, and Northcliffe. The W.A. Museum, Perth, has 86
specimens, 30 to 166 mm. in total length, from the following localities :—
Kalamunda (P.32); Whitby Falls (P.2088); Serpentine (P.244);
Warperup River, Laurier (P.698); Narrogin (P.414); Karridale (P.1162) ;
Maddington (P.825); Group 79, Manjimup (P.924);. Tambellup (P.1014,
1015, 1063); West Swan River—infected with Clonorchis (P.1114, 1115);
Cunderdin (P.1432) ; Tunney, via Cranbrook (P.1801 to 1803) ; Brook below
swimming Pool, Pemberton (P.1529 to 1577; 49 specimens); Harvey River
(P.1782, 1783, 1804 to 1806) ; Dead Man’s Creek, South Porongorups (P.1787) ;
Fremantle, from tank fed by water from Mundaring Supply (P.2179); no
precise locality (old Nos. 36, 89, 567 and 568).
The two W.A. species may be separated thus:—
A. Vertical bars along body. Caudal peduncle long and tapering. Origin
of anal opposite that of dorsal. Ventral origin about half way between
snout and base of tail. sae ase ... .. G. occidentalis.
AA. Body spotted. Caudal medunele slats ane eaaa. Grigin of anal behind
level of that of dorsal. Ventral origin nearer base of tail than
snout. eperty oes ...... .. G. truttaceus hesperius.
The tava and esi water! fais of the aang Esperance portion of
Western Australia are apparently of great antiquity, and are auto-
266 NEW SHARKS AND FISHES FROM WESTERN AUSTRALIA,
chthonous Australian animals. This area supports, for example, a frog,
Hyla cycloryhncha, which is not found in the remainder of the south-west,
and seems to have affinities with Tasmania.
Family SYNGNATHIDAE.
Genus Lissocampus Waite & Hale, 1921.
LISSOCAMPUS AFFINIS, Sp. nov.
D.11; A.O.; P.5; C.9. Annuli, 12 and 46. Subdorsal annuli = last 2
body-rings.
Snout (2 mm.) 3.2 in head (6.5); eye (1) 2 in snout and 6.5 in head.
Head 2.4 in trunk (16) or 13.0 in total length (85). Trunk nearly 4 in tail
(63) which is 1.3 in total. Dorsal base nearly 3 mm.; caudal slightly longer
than snout.
General characters as described for caudalis by Waite & Hale (Rec. S.
Austr. Mus., i., 1921, p. 306, fig. 46) , but dorsal base is longer than snout, the
pectoral fin is reduced to about half the size of theirs, and I cannot trace
any anal fin; the caudal fin is twice as long as the pectoral. The brood
pouch is subcaudal, below the first ten tail rings. b
The low number of caudal annuli (46 in this specimen, compared with
60 in caudalis) is noteworthy. :
Described from a male specimen 3-1/3rd inches long; holotype of the
species.
Locality Bathurst Point, Rottnest Island, Western Australia. W.A.
Mus., Regd. No. P.1150.
A paratype male (Austr. Mus., Regd. No. IB.341) was obtained by me
in Shark’s Bay in 1939.
Family ATHERINIDAE.
CRATEROCEPHALUS CUNEICEPS, Sp. 70V.
D.vi./8; A.i., 7; P.i., 12. Se. 38. Tr. 9 or 10. Predorsal Sc. 10. Interdorsal
Sc. 3 or 4.
Head (10 mm.) 3.6, depth (8.5) 4.2 in standard length (36). Eye, 3
mm.; interorbital, 3.6; snout, 2.8; depth of caudal peduncle, 3; length of
pectoral, 7.
Form deep, compressed. Head flattened above, tapering down towards
ventral profile; snout acutely pointed. Lower jaw the longer, mouth oblique,
extensile, apparently toothless. Maxillary not reaching below eye. Rami of
mandibles obliquely elevated. Premaxillary processes more than half eye-
diameter. Head scaly, except before eyes. Ten short gill-rakers on lower
limb of first gill-arch.
Body covered with large, entire, cycloid scales in 38 transverse rows
between shoulder and hypural joint. Anus about three scales ahead of
anal fin, situated between tips of adpressed ventrals.
No produced fin-spines. Origin of first dorsal slightly nearer snout
than root of caudal. Anal base longer than that of dorsal, more than half
its distance from caudal. Anal origin in advance of level of second dorsal
origin. Third pectoral ray longest. Pectorals reaching above ventral base.
Ventrals about opposite first dorsal origin. Caudal bilobed.
Colour in alcohol, straw-yellow, with a broad silver lateral band. Eye
silvery. Fins whitish. Blackish chromatophores infuscate top of head,
WHITLEY. 267
edges of dorsal scales, and extend along some fin-rays. A median dark
streak from anal origin to just before lower caudal root along fifth scale-
row. Dusky areas over brain and each eye.
Described from a specimen 45 mm. or 1-4/5th inches long, largest of a
series of nine specimens, 20 to 36 mm. in standard length; W.A. Mus., Regd.
Nos. P.1998 to 2005.
Locality—Belele Station, via Meekatharra, Western Australia;
presented by Mr. Alf Snell, Annean Station, Nannine, September, 1939.
Differs from C. eyresii (Steindachner), as described and figured by
McCulloch and Waite, in having Sc. 38 instead of 31-33 and L.tr. 9 or 10
instead of 13-14, in being toothless, and in minor details of proportions. C.
pauciradiatus (Gunther) has ventral and anal insertions further forward,
fewer (less than 30) scales and teeth in jaws. From other species of
Craterocephalus, the new form differs in fin and scale-counts and
proportions. :
Family EPINEPHELIDAE.
EPINEPHELUS HOMOSINENSIS, Sp. 20V.
Br.7. D.xi., 17; A.iii., 8; P.18. L.lat., 60 to hypural. L.tr., 0/1/44 between
first dorsal and anal spines, to 12/1/12 on caudal peduncle.
Head (98 mm.) nearly 2.4, depth (80) 2.9 in standard length (235).
Eye (20) 4.9, snout (18) 5.4 in head. Interorbital, 14; snout to end of
maxilla, 45; length of pectoral, 60 mm.
No rugosities, bony ridges, or mucous cavities on head. Head large,
mostly naked or with only vestigial scales apparent on vertex and opercles.
Eyes large, interorbital very slightly convex. Preopercular margin serrated,
with two or three larger serrae at angle, all pointing backwards. Upper
oOpercular spine obsolete. Lower jaw projecting. Maxillary roundly truncate,
naked, with small supplemental bone. Tongue smooth, rounded.
An outer row of cardiform and an inner band of villiform teeth in each
jaw. Enlarged cardiform teeth on each side of upper symphysis. A canine
on each side of each jaw anteriorly; large teeth depressible; lateral teeth
not enlarged. A V-shaped patch of coarse villiform teeth on vomer and a
band of similar teeth along each palatine.
Anterior nostril with skinny flap, but no tentacle; posterior nostril an
open oval orifice. Gill-rakers slender, not very long, not being longer
than gill-fringes, about eleven, plus some rudiments anteriorly, on lower
half of first branchial arch. Upper border of opercular flap feebly curved.
Body moderately compressed, deepest at level of gill-flaps.
Scales with ciliated margins cover most of the body, including the
cleithrum, but become vestigial or absent on anterior half of back on each
side of spinous dorsal fin and are reduced in size on the breast. Small
scales extend on to all fins except ventrals. Scale-rows of body are
horizontal or slightly ascending posteriorly, crossing course of lateral line.
Base of spinous dorsal subequal to that of soft. Membranes of spinous
fins pencilled. First spine originating over opercular flap. Fifth spine
longest (33 mm.) but shorter than the longest (twelfth) ray (35). Last
dorsal spine 29 mm. Second and third anal spines strong, subequal and
shorter than longest anal ray (31).
Pectorals broadly rounded, ninth ray longest. Ventrals behind pec-
toral base, second ray longest, pointed, reaching vent, but shorter than
pectorals, Caudal broadly rounded.
268 NEW SHARKS AND FISHES FROM WESTERN AUSTRALIA.
Colour, in life, extremely variable, from brick-red to greenish, with or
without large cream spots on head and crossbars on body, and changing
continually. A dark brown “moustache” mark along preorbital posteriorly.
No saddle-shaped blotch over tail. No black margin to dorsal fin. No
white spots or dots over body.
In formalin specimens the general colour is greyish-brown of various
tones with five oblique brown cross-bars below dorsal fins and across
caudal peduncle. Fins of darker greyish tone. Eyes blue. A dusky blotch
on breast anteriorly. No dark longitudinal lines.
Described from the holotype of the species a specimen 235 mm. in
standard length or nearly 114 inches overall.
Locality —Geraldton, Western Australia.
W.A. Museum, Regd. No. P.2413 (holotype). Paratypes (P.2412 and
2430) measure 251 and 128 mm. in total length respectively. I have also
seen numerous live and fresh specimens in the Geraldton-Abrolhos region,
Western Australia, where the species is known as Chinaman Cod. It is
excellent as food and need not be confused with the very different
Chinaman Fish of Queensland (Parddicichthys) .
The obsolescent superior opercular spine and the low number of body
scale-rows (about 60 instead of the usual 100 or more) and the naked
anterior half of the back alone separate this species from its congeners.
Family ScomMBRIDAE.
RASTRELLIGER SERVENTYI, Sp. 20V.
Br.6. D.viii. (4+ ii. 9)/12 + 5 finlets. A.12 + 5; P.19. L.lat., ¢.120.
L.tr., 10/1/30.
Head (66 mm.) 3.7, depth of body (68) 3.6 in length to end of middle
caudal rays (245). Eye (15) 4.4, interorbital (20.5) 3.2 in head. Snout,
18.5 mm.; length of preorbital, 36; depth of preorbital, 10; snout to origin
of pectoral, 68; to origin of first dorsal, 90; to origin of second dorsal, 149;
to origin of ventral, 82; snout to vent, 146; depth at origin of first dorsal,
64; depth at vent, 58; length of pectoral along body, 36; depth of caudal
peduncle, 8; interaxillary width, 35; base of pectoral, 11.5; maxillary, 37;
mandible, 34 snout to preopercular margin, 63; height (chord) of first
dorsal fin, 32; of second, 19; of anal, 20; upper caudal lobe, from fork, 43;
lower caudal lobe, 39.
Eye with broad adipose lids, leaving middle third of eye exposed.
Lower jaw the longer. Preorbital notch and maxilla below it reaching
below hind margin of eye. Interorbital flat, bevelled over eyes. Teeth, if
present, microscopic. Head naked except for some large scales on cheeks.
Preopercular flap broadly rounded. Isthmus keel-like. Gill-rakers very
long, extending into mouth, much longer than gill-fringes; 15/26 on first
right branchial arch. They are flattened and feather-like, bearing numerous
spines on their inner edges which form a fur-like strainer. Pseudo-
branchiae present.
Body tuna-like, somewhat compressed, covered with imbricate, oblong
(broader than long) scales with crenulated margins and edges. These
are smaller above than below the lateral line and largest just below pec-
toral bases. The scale-rows are mostly horizontal or as nearly so as the
contours allow. Scales on breast minute. A naked sheath each side of
first dorsal fin and a median naked strip towards nape. Lateral line
very slightly curved. Two ridges on each side of caudal stem.
WHITLEY. 269
First dorsal originating behind level of ventral origin, its spines weak,
curved, the third longest (26 mm.), any spines behind the eighth concealed
in a groove. Distance from eighth dorsal spine to origin of second dorsal,
(33); from there to base of last finlet, 74 mm. Pectoral short, acutely
rounded, situated in upper half of fish. Ventrals shorter than pectorals,
less than half head. Anal origin behind level of that of second dorsal.
Five finlets above and below. Caudal strongly forked. The anterior fins
fit into grooves for streamlining.
Colour, after long preservation in formalin, largely faded to straw-
yellowish, the eye bluish. A round dusky spot, much smaller than eye,
is covered by the pectoral fin. Three or four dusky longitudinal stripes on
sides below lateral line. Three or four pairs of brown spots on either side
of first dorsal fin and a brown spot at origin of second. Extreme tip of
first dorsal dusky.
Described from a specimen about 270 mm. or 103 inches in total length.
Locality.—Port Hedland, north-western Australia; coll. W. B. Alexander,
1914. W.A. Museum, Regd. No. P.18. New record for Western Australia.
Apparently closely allied to R. canagurta Cuvier (Régne Anim., ed. 2,
ii., 1829, p. 197, as Scomber) from Vizagapatam, being similar to specimens
described and figured as Scomber microlepidotus in Day’s ‘Fishes of India,”
1878, p. 250, pl. liv., figs. 3-5, but has fewer lateral line scales and pectoral
rays, whilst the number of branchiostegal rays and gill-rakers are doubtless
diagnostic also. Kishinouye’s figures of Rast(r) elliger chrysozonus (Journ.
Coll. Agric. Tokyo, viii., 3, 1923, p. 406, pl. xxxiv., fig. 63 and text-fig. 'W)
show at least 140 scales in the lateral line and a comparatively smaller eye
than in the Western Australian specimen.
“Scomber” loo and moluccensis differ, according to Gunther (Cat. Fish.
Brit. Mus., ii., 1860, p. 360) in having fewer anal rays, with head and depth
more than 44 in total length. In the north-western Australian specimen
the head goes 4 and the depth 3.9 in total length. Rastrelliger brachysoma
(Blecker) has head 33 and depth little more than 3 in same.
Specimens of Rastrelliger are not common in Museums. The Australian
Museum, Sydney, has examples of this genus from Trengganu, Malaya;
Ongtong Java, the Philippines, Andamans, Madras, as well as Cape Bedford,
Queensland, and Port Hedland, Western Australia, but they are not avail-
able to me at present. Mr. G. L. Kesteven obtained two Rastrelliger from
Yeppoon, Queensland, on July 1, 1939, which are preserved at the C.S.LR.
Division of Fisheries, Cronulla, N.S. Wales. One was 162, the other 165 mm.
long, and X-ray photos of them, lent to me by Dr. Serventy, show that both
have 31 vertebrae (14 + 17). In Kishinonye’s figure (op. cit., fig. W), there
are 13 + 18, whilst Gunther (Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., ii., 1860, p. 360) gives
14 + 16 for “Scomber kanagurta.”
The Queensland Museum has three Rastrelliger from Cape Cleveland,
near Townsville, Queensland; February 25, 1938 (about 6 in. overall), May
26, 1939 (10 in.) and March 21, 1940 (5 in.). The exact racial or specific
differentiation of these specimens must await further comparison. Mean-
time, to afford a datum-line for future study, I name the north-west
Australian form in honour of Dr. Dominic Louis Serventy, of the C.S.LR.,
who has been engaged for some time in the study of Australian scombroid
fishes.
270 NEW SHARKS AND FISHES FROM WESTERN AUSTRALIA.
Family SILLAGINIDAE.
SILLAGO FRASERI, Sp. NOV.
D.xi./20; A.ii., 18; L.lat., 66 to hypural joint + 3 to caudal root. L.tr.,
6/1/11 below first dorsal, to 4/1/5 on caudal peduncle.
About 22 predorsal scales.
Head (27 mm.) 3.4, depth (16) 5.7, width (12) 7.7 in standard length
(93). Eye (7) 3.8 in head. Snout, 10; interorbital, 5; length of pectoral,
17; depth of caudal peduncle, 8; the latter slightly less than postorbital
portion of head, 10 mm. Length of caudal fork, 107; total length, 110 mm.
Upper profile of snout convex. Upper jaw the longer, not reaching
back to level of nostrils. Interorbital not depressed, narrower than eye.
Two to three rows of cheek-scales. Teeth villiform. Preopercle minutely
crenulate. Scales of head cycloid, of body ctenoid with six radiae. A few
vestigial scales behind dorsal rays.
General form of head and body and disposition of fins as usual in the
family. No rays or spines produced, though the ventral fins are pointed.
Dorsal fins separate. Base of second dorsal (31 mm.) much longer than
that of anal (24). Ventral spine not expanded and originating before
level of first dorsal’s origin. Caudal emarginate, upper lobe the longer
(17.5 mm.), subequal to pectoral.
Colour, yellowish above, white below. A narrow olivaceous axial streak.
Top of snout, interorbital and opercles dusky grey; other parts of head and
back infuscated. Some indistinct and diffused brownish-grey blotches,
smaller than eye, along back, and a row of eight similar blotches, but more
distinct, along sides from behind pectoral fin to middle of caudal peduncle.
First dorsal fin with black dots along spines and on membranes adjacent
to spines, but without a dark tip. Two or three rows of blotches of dark
chromatophores slope downwards and backwards along membranes of
second dorsal fin. Caudal infuscated, darkest on its base. No dark blotch
on pectoral base. Pectorals, ventrals and anal mostly white, except for
a tinge of yellow on ventrals. Eye bluish. Chin white.
Described from the holotype of the species, a specimen 93 mm. in
standard length or 4.3 inches overall. W.A. Mus. Regd. No
A smaller paratype is 68 mm. in standard length.
Locality.—Leschenault Inlet, Bunbury, Western Australia; 7th December,
1943, collected by Dr. D. L. Serventy.
Distinguished from its congeners by its colour-pattern, fin and scale-
counts.
Though superficially like the Trumpeter Whiting, S. burrus Richardson,
1842, it can be distinguished from that species by its larger scales (66 instead
of 70) , by lacking a conspicuous blackish blotch on pectoral base and having
the blotches on the body in a horizontal instead of an oblique direction,
and in having fewer anal rays.
Named in honour of Mr. A. J. Fraser, the enterprising Chief Inspector
of Fisheries and Game, Perth.
Family CALLIONYMIDAE.
Genus CALLIURICHTHYS Jordan & Fowler, 1903.
CALLIURICHTHYS GOODLADI, sp. nov.
Diagnosis: A new south-western Australian dragonet with straight
WHITLEY. 271
preopercular spine (armed with spinules above and an antrorse barb
below), interorbital concave, eight dorsal and seven anal rays, mostly
simple, and eye about half length of snout.
Description: D.iv./8; A.7; P.18; V.i., 5; C.10.
Depth (15 mm) 8.7 in length to hypural joint (131). Head, to the
posterior margin of the operculum (45) 2.9, and breadth before the pec-
torals (34) 3.8 in the same. Distance between the end of the snout and
the tip of the preopercular spine (40) 3.2 in the standard length. Eye (9)
1.8 in snout (17) which is 2.6 in the head. Interorbital (3) 3 in eye;
depth of caudal peduncle (8) less than eye.
Coarsely granular osseous rugosities on each side of cranium behind
each eye. Gill-openings half-way between eye and ventral fin. Anterior
margin of snout truncate (viewed from above). Upper lip projecting
beyond the preorbital and overhanging the lower lip. Maxillary not reach-
ing level of nostrils, which are small and situated before the small bony
tubercle on the anterior orbital margin. Lower lip with a broad fold
anteriorly. Preopercular spine curved slightly outwards but not upward at
the tip. There are about a dozen small spinules on its inner edge and a
strong antrorse barb on the outer surface of the base of the spine. Small
teeth on jaws. Roof of mouth blackish.
Head and body depressed, sides rounded, caudal peduncle deeper than
broad in the middle of its length. Lateral line of each side united across
nape with branches extending forward to eyes and cheeks. Anal papilla
small. Anterior dorsal spine slightly produced (32 mm. long) reaching
near base of third dorsal ray, the three succeeding spines are progressively
shorter, and are shorter than the anterior dorsal ray to which they are
joined by membrane. Dorsal rays subequal in length and mostly simple,
the last (eighth) is divided to its base and each branch is bifurcate; it
reaches practically to above hypural joint. Anal of similar form to, but
lower than, second dorsal, its origin and end behind levels of those of
second dorsal. Upper margin of pectoral concavely excised, its median rays
longest and most rays bifurcate. Ventrals broadly rounded, reaching vent,
and with rays branched. Median caudal rays much longer than upper and
lower ones, all but the outermost bifurcate.
Colour (in formalin), pale brownish-grey above, yellowish below. Eyes
blue. Some small, sparse, grey flecks above head and body. About five
diffuse grey blotches below the course of the lateral line. No ocelli, rings
or pronounced bands or other markings. Top of head and snout, chin and
viscera bluish. A brownish stain across branchiostegals below and a
salmon-yellowish patch between pectorals on ventral surface. Fins pale
yellowish. A black blotch mainly between tips of third and fourth dorsal
spines. Some pale grey spots on second dorsal and others, more conspicuous,
on upper portion of caudal fin. Anal and caudal margins smoky grey,
without white borders. .
Described from the holotype, a specimen 131 mm. in standard length
or 7 inches overall. W. Aust. Mus. Regd. No., P.2528.
Locality—Cheyne Beach, Albany district, Western Australia; seined by
C. Westerberg, 20th July, 1943, and presented by Mr. James Goodlad,
Fisheries Inspector at Albany, after whom I have much pleasure in naming
the species.
Three paratypes, 117-126 mm. in total length, were taken from the
272 NEW SHARKS AND FISHES FROM WESTERN AUSTRALIA.
stomach of a tunny (Kishinoella tonggol) in Shark’s Bay, Western Aus-
tralia, on August 7, 1943, by Dr. D. L. Serventy and myself.
The affinities of this fish are nearest C. nadsutus McCulloch (Biol. Res.
Endeavour, v., 4, 1926, p. 197, pl. lii.), from Queensland, but it differs in
having fewer dorsal and anal rays, smaller first dorsal fin, truncate and
broader snout, more prominent upper lip, interorbital 3 instead of 5 in eye,
etc. From other species of the genus it differs in the key characters given
by McCulloch or as described above.
Family BLENNIIDAE.
VAUCLUSELLA CALVA, Sp. nov.
D.iii., xili./11; A.21 or 22; P.16; V.2; C.12. L.lat., 19 tubes and 19 tubeless
scales. L.tr., 9/1/8, or 7/1/9 at second dorsal, to 6 across caudal
peduncle.
Head (9 mm.) 4.1, depth (6) 6.1, length of caudal (6) 6.1 in total
length (37). Eye (3) 3 in head and much longer than snout (2).
Interorbital very narrow. Upper jaw the longer. Teeth small, in
bands. A bifurcate tentacle at anterior nostril and a simple one over eye.
Gill-membranes united across isthmus. Head, throat, breast as far
back as each side of anterior anal rays, and nape to each side of first
dorsal fin, naked; there are some mucous pores crossing vertex of head.
Body-scales ctenoid. Lateral line extending to below end of second
dorsal, thence another 19 more or less notched scales extend to caudal.
An anal papilla.
First dorsal spine (3 mm.) slightly longer than second; the second
dorsal fin is longer and higher than the third. No produced rays or spines.
Anal lower and longer than the second or third dorsals. Tenth pectoral
ray longest, more than its distance from the snout, rays above it branched,
but it and the lower rays are finger-like. Inner ventral ray the longer.
Caudal rounded.
Colour, in alcohol, yellowish with spaced brown chromatophores on
parts of opercles, lower half of pectorals, dorsals and anal, and scattered
along back and flanks, snout and chin. Some large silvery flecks alternate
with about ten dark blotches along sides below lateral line. Eyes bluish.
Head mostly light in tone.
Described from the holotype, the smaller of two specimens, 37 to 39 mm.
(up to 13 inches) in total length. Holotype and paratype, W.A. Museum
Regd. No., P.1052.
Locality—Cottesloe, Western Australia; on reef near jetty; coll. Mr. L.
Glauert, September, 1929.
Similar to Tripterygion rufopileum Waite (Rec. Austr. Mus., v., 1904, p.
182, pl. xxiv., fig. 4, from Lord Howe Island), but with more than 20 anal
rays and more than 3 rows of scales above lateral line, eye much more than
snout, and slenderer body.
Family ANTPNNARIIDAE.
Genus ECHINOPHRYNE McCulloch & Waite, 1918.
ECHINOPHRYNE GLAUERTI, Sp. nov.
D.i/i/i/16; A.8; P.11; V.5; C.9.
Eye very small. Maxillary naked posteriorly, reaching below eye.
WHITLEY. 273
Mouth nearly vertical, with depressible cardiform teeth in several rows
anteriorly and one or two rows at sides. Similar teeth on vomer and
palatines, and some on sides of tongue. Nostrils superolateral, the anterior
with skinny margin.
Depth (70 mm.) 1.8 in length to hypural joint (131); head, to end of
operculum (43) 3 in same; eye (4) 3 in snout (12); first dorsal spine (17)
2.5 in head.
Gill-openings large pores before angle of pectoral fins. Pseudodrachium
large and mobile. Body deep, compressed, the back grotesquely bulbous.
Integument granular, like coarse velvet, not smooth, and lacking cutaneous
appendages. Lateral line conspicuous anteriorly as a strongly arched chain
of pores, curving down to lower half of caudal peduncle. Similar pores
extend from before eye to shoulder, from mandible around preoperculum,
with a branch towards pseudobrachium. First dorsal spine long, slender,
and tapering, with a simple pennon-like illicium. Second and third spines
enveloped in knobs of integument, which also nearly covers the rays of
the long, low, soft dorsal. Second dorsal spine shorter than first and less
than half length of third. Posterior dorsal and anal rays and most caudal
rays branches. Margins of fins rounded. Anal fin originating below
posterior half of soft dorsal fin. Dorsal and anal fins free from the short
rounded caudal. Anterior pectoral rays longer than posterior. Ventrals
small.
Colour.—General colour, soon after death (from a painting made by
Mr. G. Pitt Morrison), light heliotrope grey (Ridgeway’s Colour Standard)
on head, body and fins. Some brown tinges on pectoral and ventral rays,
across caudal near its base and tip, and in pectoral axil. A scarlet band
across proximal parts of caudal rays and a splash of scarlet over anterior
part of pectoral axil. Several large oval black ocelli, edged with white, on
head and body: one each side of hump of third dorsal spine, three along
base of soft dorsal, one on opercle, another over pectoral angle, one below
middle of each side of body, three each side of belly, one each side of
chin, others on pectoral base and a few dark flecks on the fins, which had
apparently thin whitish margins. Tongue whitish with some dark marbling.
First dorsal spine yellowish. No white patch on interorbital space or along
back. No dark submarginal band on fins.
Described from the holotype, a specimen 131 mm. in standard length,
or nearly 64 inches overall. Western Australian Museum Reed. No., P.1459.
Locality—Cottesloe Beach, Western Australia; washed up alive, 23rd
July, 1935. Collected by the Misses B. and U. Glauert. A smaller paratype
(No. P.1232) was found at Cottesloe in June, 1932, by Mr. L. Glauert. It is
60 mm. in standard length or nearly 3 inches overall.
Distinguished_as follows from the only other species in the genus:—
A. Eye larger, 1.2 to 1.5 in snout. Mouth oblique. First dorsal spine
thick and spiny. Dorsal and anal rays simple. Skin covered with
upstanding prickles, bifurcate or trifurcate spines. Body without
conspicuous dark ocelli. South Australia and Victoria. . E. crassisipina.
AA. Eye very small, 3 in snout. Mouth almost vertical. First dorsal spine
slender and smooth. Some dorsal and anal rays branched. Skin a
granular mat of blunter spicules. Body with conspicuous dark ocelli.
\Wiesicitia, ANUISONNIE, oc 66 a0 bo on duos oo cu 56 Jn (Chri, Bios ialon'e
274
OVERLOOKED BIRD PAPERS.
An Annotated List.
By
KEITH C. McKEown, F.R.Z.S.
Assistant Entomologist, Australian Museum (*),
and
K. A. HiInpwoop, F.R.Z.S.
It is possible that very few workers in Australian ornithology are
aware of the wealth of information concerning our birds to be found in
the pages of the various agricultural journals of the Australian States:
indeed, reference to them is consistently absent, although the contributors
include such well-known names as A. J. North, Robt. Hall, Launcelot
Harrison and others. These papers on varied, if largely economic, aspects
of bird study, form no unimportant part of Australian ornithological
literature, and it is with the object of indicating their scope, and making
reference to them readily accessible that this annotated bibliography has
been prepared. Many species of Australian birds are figured in colour and
in black and white; some of the illustrations are certainly of doubtful merit,
but their existence is worthy of record.
Numerous bird notes and plates are contained also in books published
by the State Departments of Agriculture under titles which indicate nothing
of their presence. What student of bird life would even suspect that A
Handbook of the Destructive Insects of Victoria contained scores of coloured
plates of avian destroyers of insect pests? Or, among the miscellaneous
writings, that a paper with the uncompromising title of “The Sheep Fluke”
includes a detailed study of the life and habits of the Magpie Lark—one of
the finest bird studies yet produced in this country?
This contribution had its inception in a paper prepared by Mr. K. A.
Hindwood on North’s series, ‘‘The Insectivorous Birds of New South Wales,”
in The Agricultural Gazette of New South Wales, but it was then considered
advisable to extend its scope to include all such contributions in this and
similar publications—this joint list is the result.
Scientific names quoted are as printed in the various publications.
NEW SOUTH WALES.
THE AGRICULTURAL GAZETTE OF NEW SOUTH WALES.
CLELAND, J. B. (1878——_),, Principal Microbiologist to Department of Public
Health, Sydney, 1913-1919; Professor of Pathology, University of
Adelaide, since 1919.
1916. The Stomach Contents of Australian Birds.—xxvii., 4, April 3,
pp. 263-269. [Reprinted as portion of Dept. Agric. N.S.W. Science
Bulletin, No. 15, July, 1918. The Food of Australian Birds. An
Investigation into the Character of the Stomach and Crop Con-
tents, by Cleland, J. B., Maiden, J. H., Froggatt, W. W., Ferguson,
E. W., and Musson, C. T. (q.v.).]
* Contribution from the Australian Museum, Sydney.
MCKEOWN AND HINDWOOD. 275
Coss, N. A., Former Pathologist, Dept. Agric. N.S.W. Portrait in Agric. Gaz.
1896.
1897.
1904.
N.S.W., vii., 1, January, 1901, opposite p. 222.
The Common Crow.—vii., 9, September, pp. 565-578. [A eulogistic
and very biased account of the crow, largely based on American
work, but containing original observations and notes on food by
the author.]
The Sheep Fluke.—viii., 7, July, pp. 453-481, pl. and text-figs.
[Pp. 470-480 contain a detailed account of the Magpie-lark
(Grallina australis) [G. cyanoleuca], its habits, food, and be-
haviour, together with musical notations of calls, etc. Extracts
from Gould’s Birds of Australia (misquoted as “Gray’s Birds of
Australia’) on the Magpie-lark and the White-fronted Heron are
included. The black and white plate by E. M. Grosse was com-
piled from some thirty photographs. E. M. Grosse was an artist
on the staff of the Dept. Agric., N.'S.W.; his portrait appears in
Agric. Gaz. N.S.W., xii., 1, January, 1901, opposite p. 222.]
The Sheep Fluke.—xv., 7, July 2, pp. 658-669. [Pp. 658-659. Ducks
as destroyers of fluke snails. Continuation of the above paper.]
FarRER, W. (1845-1906), Wheat Experimentalist, Dept. Agric., N.'S.W. A
1897.
famous wheat-breeder. Portrait in Agric. Gaz. N.S.W., xii., 1,
January, 1901, opposite p. 131.
The Too Common Crow.—viii., 1, January, pp. 47-52. [A reasoned
reply to N. A. Cobb’s paper—1896 (supra). Notes on food, etc.]
Froccatt, W. W. (1858-1937), Government Entomologist, Department
1900.
1904.
1909.
1912.
1914.
Agriculture, N.S.W., 1896-1923. Entomologist, Forestry Com-
mission of N.S.W., 1923-1927. Portrait, Agric. Gaz. N.S.W., xii., 1,
January, 1901, opposite p. 131.
Insects and Birds.—xi., 6, June, pp. 436-446. [The value of birds
as destroyers of injurious insects. ]
The Willie Wagtail—xv., 1, January, pp. 20-23, pl. and 3 text-
figs. [A popular account. Black and white plate by H. S. Burton.
H. S. Burton was an artist on the staff of the Dept. Agric., N.S.W.;
his portrait appears in Agric. Gaz. N.S.W., xii., 1, January, 1901,
opposite p. 222. Paper reprinted as Misc. Publ., No. 700.]
The Australian Opossum. A Nature Study.—xv., October 3, pp.
932-935, 2 pls. [Includes a note on Climacteris scandens pulling
fur from opossum. Figure of bird on plate is by E. M. Grosse.
Paper re-issued as Misc. Publication, No. 796.]
Several Aspects of the Protection of our Native Birds.—xx., 5,
May 3, pp. 369-376. [A general account of the importance of
bird protection. ]
The Starling. A Study in Agricultural Zoology.—xxiii., 7, July 2,
pp. 610-616. [Plate (photo) in xxiv., 2, February 2, 1913, opposite
p. 152.)
Birds and Prickly Pear—xxiii., 11, November 2, pp. 943-944. [The
role of the Emu and other native birds as distributing agents in
the spread of prickly pear.]
Insectivorous Birds of New South Wales.—xxv., 4, April 2, 1914,
pp. 291-292, 2 pls. (col.). [37, Silver-eye; 38, White-winged
276
1915.
HARRISON,
1909.
OVERLOOKED BIRD PAPERS.
Chough.]—xxv., 5, May 2, 1914, pp. 387-388, 2 pls. (col.). [39,
Pheasant Coucal; 40, Bronze Cuckoo. ]—xxv., 9, September 2, 1914,
pp. 791-792, 2 pls. (col.). [41, Mallee Fowl; 42, Brush Turkey.]—
XXv., 10, October 2, 1914, pp. 873-874, 2 pls. (col.). [43, Black
Cockatoo; 44, Black-breasted Plover.]—xxv., 11, November 2, 1914,
pp. 969-970, 2 pls. (col.). [45, Stone Plover; 46, Spur-winged
Plover.]—xxv., 12, December 2, 1914, pp. 1051-1052, 2 pls. (col.).
[47, Nankeen Night Heron; 48, White-fronted Heron.]—xxvi., 3,
March 2, 1915, pp. 244-247, 2 pls. (col.). [49, Straw-necked Ibis;
50, Australian Bustard.]—xxvi., 4, April 1, 1915, pp. 334-336, 2 pls.
(col.). [51, Bee-eater; 52, Masked Wood Swallow.]—xxvi., 6, June
2, 1915, pp. 519-520, 2 pls. (col.). [52, Yellow-rumped Tit; 54,
White-fronted Chat.]—xxvi., 7, July 2, 1915, pp. 599-602, 2 pls.
(col.). [55, Lyre Bird; 56, Nankeen Kestrel.]—xxvi., 9, September
2, 1915, pp. 765-766, 2 pls. (col.). [57, Delicate Owl; 58, Boobook
Owl.J]—xxvi., 10, October 2, 1915, pp. 865-870, 2 pls. (col.). [59,
Pacific Gull; 60, Crow.]
[This is the continuation of the series, “Insectivorous Birds
of New South Wales,” by J. E. O’Grady.—dq.v. for details.]
Launcelot (1880-1928), Challis Professor of Zoology, University
of Sydney.
Some further Aspects of Bird Protection.—xx., 10, October 2, pp.
863-868.
KincHorn, J. R. (1891-——_), Ornithologist and Herpetologist, Australian
1924.
1932.
1933.
Museum.
The Value of Birds to Man. Especially in Relation to Agri-
culture.—xxxv., 1, January 1, pp. 45-48. [A general account;
gives details of food of Quail and Barn Owl.]
Wild Ducks are Not a Serious Pest of Rice Crops.—xliii., 8, August
1, pp. 603-608. [Investigation of alleged destruction by ducks of
rice crops on the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Areas.]
The Starling. Its Distribution and Suggestions for Control—
xliv., 7, July 1, pp. 512-515, map and text-fig. [Report on an
investigation of the Starling in New South Wales.]
Bird Life not Endangered by Grasshopper Poisoning.—xlviii., 1,
January 1, pp. 15-16. [Unsigned, but quotes extensively from J.
R. Kinghorn’s report. ]
LANSDOWNE, A.
1905.
The Magpie.—xvi., 12, December 2, p. 1179. [Note on food, etc.]
MITCHELL, A. J.
1907.
Sparrows.—XvViii., 10, October 2, pp. 814-815.
Musson, C. T. (1856-1928), Lecturer in Botany and Entomology, Hawkes-
1905.
bury Agricultural College, N.S.W. Portrait in Agric. Gaz. N.S.W.,
xii., 1, January, 1901, opposite p. 157.
The “Sparrow Circular.” Preliminary Observations on Reports
Received at Hawkesbury Agricultural College—xvi., 4, April 1,
pp. 378-380.
1909.
Nort, A.
MCKEOWN AND HINDWOOD. 277
Fruit-eating Birds. Preliminary Note on replies to the Circulars
lately issued.—xvi., 6, June 2, pp. 587-590.
The House Sparrow in New South Wales.—xviii., 6, June 3, pp.
535-538, map showing distribution;—xviii., 12, December 2, pp.
914-917. [Reprinted in Misc. Publication, No. 1094 (1908) .]
The House Sparrow in New South Wales.—xix., 2, February 3, pp.
127-135. [Reprinted as Misc. Publication, No. 1094 (1908), The
House Sparrow in New South Wales, by C. T. Musson, pp. 1-17,
map.]
A Native Bird Destroying the Sparrow.—xix., 8, August 3, p. 680.
[Pteropodocys phasianella reported to be preying on Sparrows.
Reprinted in Qld. Agric. Journ., xxi., 1908.]
Birds and the Orchard.—xx., 8, August 2, pp. 730-732. [Notes on
the Economic Value of fifteen species of Birds found in the
Hawkesbury Agricultural College orchard. ]
J. (1855-1917) , Ornithologist, Australian Museum, Sydney.
A List of the Insectivorous Birds of New South Wales.—vii., 6,
June, pp. 380-397, 10 pls. (8 coloured and 2 black and white) by
H. S. Burton. [1, Aegotheles novae-hollandiae; 2, Eurystopus
albigularis (fig.); 3, E. guttatus; 4, Chaetura caudacuta; 5,
Cypselus pacificus; 6, Hirundo neoxena; 7, Lagenoplastes ariel; 8,
Petrochelidon nigricans; 9, Chaeramoeca leucosternum; 10,
Merops ornatus (fig.); 11, Eurystomus pacificus; 12, Artamus
sordidus (fig.); 13, A. superciliosus; 14, A. personatus; 15,
A. leucogaster; 16, A. melanops; 17, A. albiventris; 18, A. minor;
19, Pardalotus punctatus (fig.); 20, P. melanocephalus; 21, P.
affinis; 22, P. ornatus (fig.); 23, P. rubricatus; 24, P. ranthopy-
gius; 25, Gymnorhina tibicen (fig.) ; 26, G. leuconota; 27, Grallina
picata (fig.); 28, Pteropodocys phasianella; 29, Edoliisoma
tenuirostre; 30, Lalage lewcomelaena; 31, L. tricolor; 32, Pachy-
cephala gutturalis (fig.) ; 33, P. rufiventris; 34, P. olivacea; 35, P.
gilberti; 36, Collyriocincla harmonica (fig.) ; 37, C. rufigaster; 38,
Falcunculus frontatus (fig.); 39, Oreoica cristata (fig.); 40,
Sphenostoma cristata; 41, Psophodes crepitans (fig.); 42,
Sphenura brachyptera (fig.); 43, Rhipidura albiscapa; 44, R.
rufifrons; 45, Sauloprocta motacilloides (fig.) ; 46, Seiswra inquieta
(fig.); 47, Myiagra rubecula; 48, M. nitida; 49, Micraeca
fascinans (fig.); 50, Monarcha melanopsis (fig.); 51, Piezor-
hynchus gouldi; 52, Gerygone albigularis; 53, G. fusca; 54,
Smicrornis brevirostris; 55, Erythrodryas rosea; 56, Petroeca
leggii; 57, P. phoenicea; 58, P. goodenovii; 59, Melanodryas bicolor
(fig.) ; 60, M. picata; 51, Drymodes brunneopygia; 62, Eopsaltria
australis (fig.); 63, Poecilodryas capito.)—Part I1.—viii., 1,
January, 1897, pp. 25-37, 4 pls. (col.), xi.-xiv., by H. S. Burton.
[64, Malurus cyaneus (fig.); 65, M. lamberti; 66, M. melanotus;
67, M. leucopterus; 68, M. leuconotus; 69, M. callainus; 70, M.
melanocephalus (fig.); 71, Menura superba; 72, M. alberti; 73,
Amytis striatus; 74, A. textilis; 75, Stipiturus malacurus; 176,
Hylacola pyrrhopygia; 77, Atrichia rufescens; 78, Pycnoptilus
floccosus; 79, Cisticola exilis; 80, Sericornis citreogularis; 81, S.
magnirostris; 82, S. frontalis; 83, S. maculatus; 84, Pyrrholaemus
278
OVERLOOKED BIRD PAPERS.
brunnea; 85, Acanthiza pusilla; 86, A. lineata; 87, A. nana (fig.) ;
88, A. uropygialis; 89, Geobasileus chrysorrhoa (fig.); 90, G.
reguloides; 91, Ephthianura albifrons (fig.); 92, E. aurifrons
(fig.); 93, EH. tricolor; 94, Origma rubricata; 95, Xerophila
leucopsis; 96, Chthonicola sagittata; 97, Anthus australis (fig.) ;
98, Cinclorhamphus cruralis; 99, C. rufescens; 100, Mirafra hors-
fieldii (fig.); 101, Megalurus galactotes; 102, M. gramineus; 103,
Acrocephalus australis..—Part III., xi., 1, January, 1900, pp. 1-2,
1 pl. (col.), by H. S. Burton. 1104, Struthidea cinerea (fig.) ; 105,
Pomatostomus temporalis (fig.); 106, P. superciliosus; 107, P.
ruficeps.|\—Part IV., xiii., 2, February, 1902, pp. 183-186, 1 pl.
(col.). (108, Climacteris picumnus; 109, C. erythrops; 110, C.
superciliosa; 111, C. scandens; 112, Sittella chrysoptera; 113, S.
pileata; 114, Cuculus pallidus; 115, Cacomantis flabelliformis
(fig.) ; 116, C. variolosus.J—Part V., xiii., 4, April, 1902, pp. 407-
408, pl. xvii. (col.). [117, Mesocalius palliolatus; 118, Lampro-
coccyx plagosus (fig.) ; 119, L. basalis.|—Part VI., xvi., 10, October
2, 1905, pp. 1011-1021 (conclusion). [120, Podargus strigoides;
121, P. plumiferus; 122, Dacelo gigas; 123, Halcyon sanctus; 124,
H. pyrrhopygius; 125, H. macleayi; 126, Cinclosoma punctatum;
127, C. castaneonotum; 128, Geocichla lunulata; 129, Leucosarcia
picata; 130, Eupodotis australis; 131, Oedicnemus grallarius; 132,
Lobivanellus lobatus; 133, Sarciophorus pectoralis; 134, Strepera
graculina; 135, S. cuneicaudata; 136, Graucalus melanops; 137,
G. mentalis; 138, Corcorax melanorhamphus; 139, Corone
australis; 140, Corvus coronoides; 141, Oriolus sagittatus; 142,
Ptilnorhynchus violaceus; 143, Chlamydodera maculata; 144,
Sericulus melinus; 145, Sphecotheres mazillaris; 146, Ptilotis
lewinii; 147, P. chrysops; 148, P. fusca; 149, Myzantha garrula;
150, Meliphaga phrygia; 151, Tropidorhynchus corniculatus; 152,
T. citreogularis; 153, Entomyza cyanotis; 154, Plectorhynchus
lanceolatus; 155, Acanthochaera carunculata; 156, Zosterops
dorsalis; 157, Cacatua galerita; 158, Aprosmictus cyanopygius;
159, Platycercus eximius; 160, P. elegans; 161, Trichoglossus
concinnus.]
A. J. North is best known for his valuable work, The Nests
and Eggs of Birds found Breeding in Australia and Tasmania (4
Vols., 1901-1914). He would have nothing to do with The Emu,
official journal of the Royal Australasian Ornithologists’ Union
(in one instance referring to it as “A Melbourne publication”
(Vict. Naturalist, xxii., 2, June, 1902, p. 53)), but published notes
of general interest and descriptions of new species in the
Victorian Naturalist, The Records of the Australian Museum, and
The Agricultural Gazette of New South Wales. To the latter
publication he contributed a series of papers on “The
Insectivorous Birds of New South Wales.” Six parts, as listed
above, complete the series, and contain brief notes on the habits,
nests and eggs of the 161 species dealt with.
The influence of Gould’s work is apparent in some of the
plates, which are by H. S. Burton, an artist on the staff of the
Department of Agriculture, New South Wales. His portrait
appears in the Agric. Gaz. N.S.W., xii., 1, January, 1901, opposite
p. 222.
1901.
1902.
1905.
1909.
1911.
NortTON,
1897.
MCKEOWN AND HINDWOOD. 279
Part I of the series was re-issued as a “separate” with new
pagination (1-18); II., as Miscellaneous Publication, No. 128 (pp.
19-31), and Part V was also re-issued as Miscellaneous Pub-
lication, No. 128 (pp. 1-2). W. W. Froggatt states in “Some
Useful Australian Birds” (1921), p. 3, that three parts were
issued separately, but such was the demand that the supply was
soon exhausted.]
Description of a New Species of Insectivorous Bird. Acanthiza
mastersi, sp. nov.—xii., 11, November, p. 1425. [Re-issued as
Miscellaneous Publication, No. 527.]
Description of the Eggs of the Fawn-breasted Bower-bird and
Varied Lorilet.—xiii., 4, April, p. 409, fig. [Chlamydodera cervini-
ventris and Ptilosclera versicolor.]
Insectivorous Birds. A New Genus of the Order Passeres.—xvi.,
3, March 2, pp. 247-250, 2 figs. [Oreoscopus, gen. nov.—Type,
Sericornis gutturalis De Vis. Re-issued as Miscellaneous Pub-
lication, No. 828 (pp. 1-4) .]
On Bird Protection and Bird Description in New South Wales.—
xx., 2, February 2, pp. 141-147. [A general account, giving some
history of “The Birds’ Protection Act, 1901.” He suggests the
formation of “Gould Societies,” a suggestion previously made at
a meeting of the Linnean Society of New South Wales (Abstract
of Proceedings, August 26th, 1908), when he said “Gould
Societies might very advantageously be inaugurated throughout
the State, to take up work on the lines so successfully followed
by the Audubon Societies of the United States; and to bring
about the observance of ‘Bird Day’ in the schools.” ]
On a New Genus of Australian Insectivorous Birds—xxii., 3
March 2, p. 211. [Ashbyia, gen. nov.]
Insectivorous Birds. Description of a New Sub-species of Dacelo
gigas (“Laughing Kingfisher” or “Laughing Jackass’’) —xxii., 7,
July 3, p. 609. [Dacelo McLennani, subsp. nov.]
Us
Magpies (Black and Gray) —viii., 8, August, pp. 535-537. [An
account of the Streperas and their habits, with notes on food.]
?
[O’Grapy, J. E.], Editor of The Agricultural Gazette of New South Wales,
1910
to
1913.
1910-1912.
Insectivorous Birds of New South Wales.—xxi., 4, April 2, pp. 297-
299, 2 pls. (col.). [1, Hooded Robin; 2, Yellow-breasted Shrike
Robin. ]—xxi.. 5, May 2, pp. 398-400, 2 pls. (col.). [8, Red-capped
Robin; 4, Coachwhip Bird.]—xxi., 8, August 2, pp. 667-668, 2 pls.
(col.). [5, Scarlet-breasted Robin; 6, Flame-breasted Robin. ]—
xxi., 9, September 2, pp. 778-779, 2 pls. (col.). [7, Blue Wren; 8,
Orange-backed Wren.]—xxi., 12, December 2, pp. 1026-1027, 2 pls.
(col.). £9, Ground Lark; 10, Jacky Winter.]—xxii., 1, January 3,
pp. 36-38, 2 pls. (col.). [11, Willie Wagtail; 12, Scissors Grinder. ]
—xxii., 3, March 2, pp. 206-207, 2 pls. (col.). [13, Diamond Bird;
14, Crested Shrike Tit.]—xxii., 4, April 2, pp. 316-317 (col.). [15,
Grey Shrike Thrush; 16, Dollar Bird.]—xxii., 6, June 2, pp. 503-
504, 2 pls. (col.). [17, Sacred Kingfisher; 18, Crested Bell-bird.]
280
OVERLOOKED BIRD PAPERS.
—xxii., 7, July 3, pp. 611-612, 2 pls. (col.). [19, Caterpillar Eater;
20, Yellow-breasted Thickhead.]—xxii., 10, October 3, pp. 842-
843, 2 pls. (col.). [21, Laughing Jackass; 22, More-pork.]—xxii.,
11, November 2, pp. 947-948, 2 pls. (col.). [23, Magpie; 24, Pee-
wee. ]—xxiii., 2, February 2, 1912, pp. 141-142, 2 pls. (col.). [25,
Mistletoe Bird; 26, Welcome Swallow.]—xxiii., 3, March 2, pp.
234-235, 2 pls. (col.). [27, White-browed Wood Swallow; 25,
Fairy Martin.]—xxiii., 8, August 2, pp. 663-664, 2 pls. (col.). [29,
Babbler; 30, Brown Tree-creeper.]—xxiii., 9, September 2, pp.
758-759, 2 pls. (col.). [381, Short-billed Tom-tit; 32, Blue Jay.]
—xxiv., 4, April 2, 1913, pp. 322-323, 2 pls. (col.). [23, Spotted
Ground Bird; 34, Mountain Thrush.]—xxiv., 5, May 2, pp. 388-
389, 2 pls. (col.). [35, Orange-winged Tree-runner; 36, Fan-
tailed Cuckoo.]
In view of the interest shown in the series of papers by A.
J. North, published by the Department of Agriculture, New
South Wales, in The Agricultural Gazette of New South Wales
(q.v.), it was decided to issue a second series under the title,
“TInsectivorous Birds of New South Wales.” J. E. O’Grady, then
editor of The Agricultural Gazette of New South Wales, under-
took the preparation of the letterpress, with the assistance of
A. J. North. The plates were copied in water-colour from the
figures in Gould’s Birds of Australia, and reproduced by the three-
colour process. These reproductions are not direct copies from
Gould’s plates. Mr. E. H. Zeck, Entomologist, Department of
Agriculture, New South Wales, informs us that water-colour
drawings were made from Gould’s plates by William Marshall, a
compositor in the Government Printing Office, in whose work
the Government Printer, William Applegate Gullick, had hbe-
come interested. It was from these drawings that the blocks
were made. In some instances the artist altered the back-
grounds slightly, or re-set the positions of the birds. The series
commenced in 1910. In 1912, O’Grady resigned from the Depart-
ment, but two further papers, evidently prepared prior to his
resignation, appeared in 1913. All O’Grady’s papers are un-
signed. W. W. Froggatt (p.v.) then continued the series under his
own name until their conclusion in October, 1915. Provision had
been made for reprinting the series in the form of a Bulletin,
but wartime conditions in 1914-1918 delayed the appearance of
the work. W. W. Froggatt then used the plates in his book,
Some Useful Australian Birds (1921, pp. 1-85, 62 pls. (col.)), re-
writing all those sections which had been dealt with by O’Grady,
and revising his own contributions. Two of the plates—the
White-throated Nightjar, and the Grey-crowned Babbler and
Apostle Bird—are reproduced from Burton’s plates in North’s
series (q.v.).]
SmitH, G. P. Darnell (1868-1942) , Government Microbiologist, Department
1917.
of Agriculture, New South Wales; Director, Botanical Gardens,
Sydney, 1924-1933.
Animal Aids to the Spread of Prickly Pear.—xxx., 2, February 3,
pp. 125-127, 2 figs. [Emu and Black Magpies as agents in the
spread of prickly pear.]
MCKEOWN AND HINDWOOD. 281
SPARKS, G. C.
1920. Baiting the Wedge-tailed Eagle—xxxi., 12, December 2, p. 860.
[Estimates that 2,000 lambs are killed per annum on one station
between Wyalong and the Lachlan River by Wedge-tailed
Eagles.]
QUEENSLAND.
QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL.
ANON.
1905. Destruction of Native Birds—xvi., 2, October 1, pp. 171-174.
[Contains notes by H. Tryon on the food of the Ibis, Crow, Pied
Crow Shrike, Morepork (Ninox), Nightjar, Laughing Jackass,
Kingfishers (Halcyon and Alcyone), Butcher Bird, and Dollar
Bird.]
1914. Ornithology. The Economic Value of our Birds—<(n.s.), 1,
January, pp. 59-61. [Reprints bulletin issued by Bird Protection
Court, Melbourne, by Professor [sic.] F. Erasmus Wilson.]
— —. Native Birds Protection Acts. Destruction of Native Birds.—
(n.s.), li., 2, August, pp. 167-172, map. [Reprints Tryon’s notes
from Qld. Agric. Journ., 1905 (supra). Reprinted again, li., 3, pp.
342-348; 4, pp. 323-328; 5, 367-372; 6, pp. 411-416.]
1927. Vanishing. Bird Life.—xxvii., 4, April 1, pp. 356-357. [Reprinted
from the Graziers’ Review (Qld.), 16th March, 1927.]
FIELDING, J. W.
1928. Observations on Eye Worms of Birds.—xxx., 1, July 1, pp. 37-41.
[Lists seven species of native birds infested.]
MELLoR, J. W.
1907. Sparrow-destroying Bird—xxii., 1, January 1, pp. 42-43. [The
author is doubtful regarding the statements by C. T. Musson.
(Agric. Gaz. N.S.W., 1908) re Pteropodocys phasianella destroying
sparrows. ]
Witson, D.
1932. The Value of Bird Life—(n.s.), xxxvii., 1, January 1, pp. 60-61.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE AND INDUSTRY
OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
COLEMAN, F’.
1897. The Orchard Oriole. A Friend of the Orchardist.—i., 2, Sep-
tember, p. 130. [Proposal to introduce Icterus spurius, the
American Orchard Oriole, into South Australia.]
JOURNAL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
ANON.
1909. Bird Pests.—xiii., 1, August, pp. 26-27. [Report of Conference on
Destructive Birds, June 30 and July 28, 1909.]
1919. Black-tailed Native Hen.—xxii., 7, February, pp. 556-557, fig.
282
1933.
OVERLOOKED BIRD PAPERS.
after Gould. [Invasion of Murray River Settlements by Native
Hen, and refers to invasion of streets of Adelaide, .1846; Perth,
1886; Northern Victoria, 1909.1]
The Grenadier Weaver.—xxxvii., 4, November 15, p. 438, pl. (col.).
[Pyromelana [Euplectes] orix from South Africa introduced into
South Australia, and occurring wild at Woods Point, Paradise, and
McLaren Flat, feeding on wild oats. May become a serious
menace to grain crops in South Australia.]
Curnow, S. H.
1909.
Some Indigenous Insectivorous Birds.—xiii., 1, August, pp. 17-20.
[General notes on Malurus cyaneus, Rhipidura tricolor, Sisura
[sic.] inquieta, Microeca fascinans, Petroeca spp., Hirundo
spp., Collyriocincla harmonica, Anthus australis, Pomatorhinus
superciliosus, Acanthiza chrysorrhoe.|
[Epauist, A. G.], Lecturer in Nature Study, Education Department, South
1911
to
1912.
Australia.
Our Feathered Friends. Protected Native Birds.—xiv., 9, April,
pp. 848-855, 3 pls. (col.). [Coloured plates of birds and eggs by
C. Wall, Government Artist, reproduced by photolithograph, with
notes on derivation of scientific name, size, bill, feet and legs,
plumage, habitat, food, nest and eggs, and occasional general
notes. The first part contains Podargus humeralis (fig.), Athene
boobook (fig.), Pardalotus striatus (fig.), Acanthiza chrysorrhoa
(fig.), Acrocephalus australis (fig.), Grallina australis (fig.) .1—
Xiv., 10, May, pp. 936-939, 3 pls. (col.). [Colluricincla harmonica
(fig.), Graucalus melanops (fig.), Cuculus inornatus (fig.),
Herodias plumiferus (fig.) .J—xiv., 11, June, pp. 1038-1042, 3 pls.
(col.). ([Chlamydodera maculata (fig.), Climacteris scandens
(fig.), Artamus sordidus (fig.), Anthus australis (fig.),
Epthianura albifrons (fig.) .]—xiv., 12, July, pp. 1136-1140, 3 pls.
(col.). [Platalea regia (fig.), Geronticus spinicollis (fig.),
Botaurus australis (fig.), Ardea novae-hollundiae (fig.), Hydro-
chelidon fluviatilis (fig.) .]
[Largely reprinted from a Special Bulletin, Department of
Information, South Australia (q.v.).]
Lea, A. M. (1868-1932), Entomologist, South Australian Museum, Adelaide.
1922.
One Year’s Food of an Owl near Adelaide.—xxv., 11, June 15, pp.
938-942, illustrated. [Summary of one year’s food of one
individual of Tyto alba delicatula—1,407 mice, 143 rats, 7 bats, 5
young rabbits, 375 sparrows, 23 starlings, 8 blackbirds, 4 Little
Water-crakes, 2 Chestnut-eared Finches, 2 Grey Shrike-thrushes,
1 Goldfinch, 1 Grass Bird (Cisticola exilis), 1 Flycatcher
(Microeca fascinans), 1 New Holland Honey-eater, 4 unidentified
small birds, 4 small lizards, 174 frogs, 25 large night-flying moths,
5 Field Crickets (Gryllus servillei), 1 Mole Cricket (Gryllotalpa
coarctata), 1 carnivorous cricket (Gryllacris sp.), 1 grasshopper,
1 Katydid, 1 cockroach, 2 Mantids, 2 large cockchafer beetles, 2
root beetles (Isodon pentacanthus), 4 Dung Beetles (Ontho-
phagus mniszechii), 2 O. pentacanthus, 13 Night beetles
(Bolboceras sp.) .]
MCKEOWN AND HINDWOOD. 283
1926. The Food of Birds—xxx., 4, November 15, p. 378. [Abstract of
paper read before 37th Annual Congress, Agricultural Bureau of
South Australia. Silvereyes spreading seeds of African Box-
thorn and Blackberry; food of owls; Emu (grass, salt-bush, and
other plants eaten by sheep—‘eats same quantity per day as a
sheep’”—spreads Quandong and prickly pear.) .]
Puace, F. E.
1922. Blowflies and Sheep.—xxv., 8, March 15, pp. 700-705. [The value
of birds, p. 703.]
Waite, S. A. (1870-——), South Australian ornithologist and explorer.
Portrait in Aust. Av. Rec., iii., 7 (3rd December), 1919.
1918. A Few Native Birds in Relation to the State —xxii., 2, September,
p. 174. [Abstract of lecture. Details of food of Barn Owl,
cormorants, and quail.]
1919. Advisory Board of Agriculture —xxii., 9, April, p. 729. [Note on
disappearance of Black-tailed Native Hen from areas which were
invaded on the Murray River settlements. Vide Anon, 1919
(supra) .]
—-~. Bird Life—xxii., 9, April, p. 748. [Abstract of lecture. Food of
delicate Owl at Reedbeds, S.A.; in six months one bird had
destroyed 640 sparrows, 64 starlings, 1,600 mice, and 60 young
rabbits, in addition to thousands of insects. A Blue Wren
conveyed an average of three insects to the young every two
minutes, working 16 hours per day. One bird, therefore,
destroyed 1,400 insects per day, or 2,800 for the pair.]
TASMANIA.
THE AGRICULTURAL GAZETTE OF TASMANIA.
But er, A. L.
1912. Economic Value of Birds. (Chairman’s Address to the Tasmanian
Field Naturalists’ Club, 19th September, 1912.) —xx., 9, September,
pp. 371-378. [A general account.]
VICTORIA.
THE JOURNAL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
OF VICTORIA.
BEUHNE, F. R., Apiculturalist, Department of Agriculture, Victoria.
1914. Bee-keeping in Victoria—Enemies of Bees—Birds.—xii., 4, April,
pp. 202-205, illustrated. [Merops ornatus and Artamus personatus
as destroyers of bees. Illustrations are half-tone reproductions
of paintings by C. C. Brittlebank.j
FRENCH, C. (1843-1933), Government Entomologist, Department of Agri-
culture, Victoria, 1889-1911.
1902. Economic Entomology and Ornithology: Some of the Advan-
tages to be Derived from their Study.—i., 1, January, pp. 59-68.
[A general account. ]
1902. On the Necessity for the Preservation of Our Insect-destroying
284
1902
to
1907.
1906.
1910.
1914.
OVERLOOKED BIRD PAPERS.
Birds, with an Alphabetical List of the Principal Kinds.—i., 1,
January, pp. 69-73. [General notes and list of species.]
Insectivorous Birds of Victoria.—i., 2, February, pp. 200-202, 2
pls. (col.), by C. C. Brittlebank. [Tinnunculus cenchroides (fig.) ,
Merops ornatus (fig.) .J—i., 4, April, p. 403, pl. (col.). [Malurus
cyaneus (fig.).J—i., 5, May, pp. 520-521, 2 pls. (col.). [Artamus
personatus (fig.), Melanodryas bicolor (fig.) .J—ii., 1, May, 1903,
pp. 68-69, pl. (col.). [Pomatorhinus temporalis (fig.) .1—iii., 10,
November, 1904, p. 1,000, pl. (col.). [Acanthiza chrysorrhoa
(fig.) .J—iv., 12, December 8, 1906, pp. 716-717, pl. (col.). [Grallina
picata (fig.).J—v., 2, February 8, 1907, pp. 78-79, pl. (col.).
[Eopsaltria australis (fig.) .J—v., 4, April 8, 1907, pp. 209-210, pl.
(col.). {Psophodes crepitans (fig.) .]
[There is considerable variation in the titles of the papers
in this series, some being prefaced by “Entomological and
Ornithological Branch,’ some by the words “Economic
Entomology and Ornithology,’ while others are without any
special heading, simply commencing with the name of the bird.
All the plates are from paintings by C. C. Brittlebank, Plant
Pathologist and Artist, Department of Agriculture, Victoria.
With the exception of the plates of Melanodryas bicolor and
Eopsaltria australis, all were used in French’s Destructive Insects
of Victoria (q.v.) .]
C. (Jr.) (1868-——), Former Government Entomologist, Depart-
ment of Agriculture, Victoria.
Fruit-eating Birds.—iii., 5, July 8, pp. 364-370. [Corone australis,
Strepera fuliginosa, S. cuneicaudata, Oriolus viridis, Graucalus
melanops, Ptilnorhynchus violaceus, Chlamydodera maculata,
Zosterops, caerulescens, Meliphaga phyrygia, Ptilotis chrysops, P.
leucotis, P. penicillata, Manorhina (Myzantha) garrula, Acantho-
chaera carunculata, A. rufigularis, Entomya cyanotis, Philemon
corniculatus, Trichoglossus mnovae-hollandiae, Glossopsittacus
concinnus, Aprosmictus cyanopygius, Platycercus elegans, P.
eximius, Nanodes discolor. Introduced Birds: Acridotheres
ginginianus, Passer domesticus, Sturnus vulgaris, Turdus merula.
Notes on food, etc.]
Destructive Birds—iv., 11, November 8, pp. 679-681. [A general
account. ]
Insectivorous Birds of Victoria.—viii., 3, March, pp. 186-187,
illustrated. [Chalcococcyz plagosus. The illustration is a half-
tone reproduction of a painting by C. C. Brittlebank, and is not
used elsewhere.]—ix., 8, August, p. 552, pl. (col.). [Climacteris
leucophaea. The plate is from a painting by C. Vald Andersen,
and does not appear elsewhere. These papers are a continuation
of the series by C. French (Sr.) (q.v.).]
Birds Destructive to Vegetable Crops—English Skylarks (Alauda
arvensis) —xii., 12, December, pp. 736. [English Skylarks destroy-
ing cabbage, caulifiower, turnip, lettuce, radish in Currum,
Mentone, and Cheltenham districts, Victoria.]
MCKEOWN AND HINDWOOD. 285
WESTERN AUSTRALIA.
JOURNAL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA.
Hat, Robert.
1900.
to
1903.
The Insectivorous Birds of Western Australia.—ii., 5, November,
1900, pp. 321-329, illust. and map. [Introduction, Pardalotus
punctatus, P. assimilis, P. ornatus.|—ii., 6, December, 1900, pp.
388-397, illust. [Artamus superciliosus, A. personatus, A. sordidus.]
—iii., 1, January, 1901, pp. 18-25, illust. [Hirundo neoxrena.]—
iii., 2, February, 1901, pp. 96-99, illust. [Petrochelidon ariel, P.
nigricans, Cheramoeca leucosternum.|—iii., 3, March, 1901, pp.
170-177, illust. [Pseudogerygone culicivora, Acanthiza apicalis, A.
inornata, A. chrysorrhoea, Smicrornis flavescens, Falcunculus
leucogaster.|]—iii., 4, April, 1901, pp. 239-246, illust. [Rhipidura
preissi, R. tricolor, Sisura inquieta, Microeca assimilis, Smicrornis
flavescens (addenda) .J—iii., 5, May, 1901, pp. 299-306, illus.
[Petroeca campbelli, P. goodenovii, P. bicolor, Eopsaltria georgiana,
E. gularis.)—iii., 6, June, 1901, pp. 367-376, illus. [Malurus elegans,
M. lamberti, Stipiturus malachurus, Amytis striata.]—iv., 1, July,
1901, pp. 17-32, illust. [Pachycephala occidentalis, P. rufiventris,
P. gilberti, Cuculus pallidus, Cacomantis flabelliformis, Misocalius
palliolatus, Chalcococcyx plagosus, Graucalus melanops, Ptero-
podocys phasianella, Lalage tricolor.j—iv., 2, August, 1901, pp.
82-87, illust. [Sericornis maculata, S. brunnea, Hylacola pyr-
rhopygia, Calamanthus campestris.]—iv., 3, September, 1901, pp.
177-182, illust. [Gymnorhina tibicen, G. leuconota.J—iv., 4,
October, 1901, pp. 246-252, illust. [Grallina picata, Cinclor-
hamphus rufescens, Anthus australis.|—iv., 5, November, 1901, pp.
312-319, illust. [Collyriocincla rufiventris, Cinclosoma castanono-
tum, Sittella pileata, S. leucoptera, Climacteris rufa.]—iv., 6, Dec.,
1901, pp. 380-387, illust. [Pomatorhinus superciliosus, Oreoica
cristata, Xerophila leucopsis, Sphenostoma cristatum, Eurystomus
australis, Psophodes nigrogularis.]—v., 1, January, 1902, pp. 6-12,
illust. [Ephthianura aurifrons, E. albifrons, Dacelo cervina,
Halcyon sanctus, H. pyrrhopygius.]—v., 2, February, 1902, pp.
102-109, illust. [Caprimulgus macrurus, Eurystopus argus,
Aegotheles mnovae-hollandiae, Podargus_ strigoides, Merops
ornatus.]—v., 3, March, 1902, pp. 178-182, illust. [Carphibis
spinicollis, Notophoyx novae-hollandiae, Burhinus grallarius.)—
v., 4, April, 1902, pp. 258-266, illust. [Aegialitis melanops,
Hypotaenidia phillippinensis, Podiceps novae-hollandiae, Cer-
chneis cenchroides, Hieracidia berigora.|—v., 5, May, 1902, pp.
304-309, illust. [Elanus scriptus, Ninox ocellata, Corone australis,
Cracticus leucopterus..—Part III. Birds: Insectivorous and
granivorous.—v., 6, June, 1902, pp. 374-378, illust. [Lipoa ocellata.]
—vi., 1, July, 1902, pp. 6-i1, illust. [Turnix varia, Synoecus
australis, Megalurus gramineus, Mirafra horsfieldi, Cisticola
exilis, Acrocephalus longirostris.|.—Part IV. Birds: Insectivorous
and Frugivorous. (More or less Useful.) —vi., 2, August, 1902, pp.
70-77, illust. [Strepera plumbea, Zosterops gouldi, Melithreptus
chloropsis, Acanthochaera carunculata.|—vi., 5, November, 1902,
pp. 283-287. [Acanthochaera rufigularis, Philemon citreogularis,
286
OVERLOOKED BIRD PAPERS.
Chlamydodera nuchalis, Oriolus sagittata.|—Part V. Birds: In-
sectivorous and Graminivorous.—vi., 6, December, 1902, pp. 252-
253, pl. L[Dromacus novae-hollandiae|].—Part VI. Birds: Offensive
in Certain Seasons to Fruitgrowers and Agriculturalists——vii., 1,
January, 1903, pp. 6-12. [Platycercus icterotis, Glossopsittacus
porphyrocephalus, Trichoglossus rubritorques, Cacatua galerita.]
[The series forms a good account of the birds of. Western
Australia. The treatment is on the same lines as the author’s
books, The Insectivorous Birds of Victoria, 1900, and The Useful
Birds of Southern Australia, 1907. A description is given of each
bird, together with notes on nest and eggs, habits, distribution,
etc., with special reference to the western State. The numerous
illustrations are half-tone reproductions of Gould’s plates and
from original photographs.]
HELMs, R. (1858-1914). Portrait in Agric. Gaz. N.S.W., xii., 1, January,
1900.
1902.
1901, opposite p. 114.
Useful and Noxious Birds. The Goat-Suckers (Caprimulgidae) —
i., March, pp. 17-23. [General notes of food, habits, etc., of
Caprimulgus macrurus, Eurystopodus guttatus, Aegotheles novae-
hollandiae, Ae. leucogaster, Podargus humerdalis, P. megacephalus,
P. brachypterus, P. cuvieri, P. plumiferus, P. phalaenoides, P.
gouldi, P. marmoratus, P. papuensis.]
Houtman’s Abrolhos.—v., 1, January, pp. 33-35, illust. [Historical,
Economic Value, Physiography, Flora, Marine Life, Terrestrial
Fauna, Birds and Their Nests; pp. 45-51, Mammals, Conclusion,
Appendix List of Mammals, Birds, Reptiles and Frogs. Re-
printed from Producers’ Gazette.]
Newman, L. J. (1878--—_). Former Government Entomologist, Depart-
1924.
1929.
ment of Agriculture, Western Australia.
Protection of Useful Insects, Birds, and Animals.—(2), i., 1, April,
pp. 45-47.
Biological Control of the Silvereye (Zosterops gouldi) —(2), Vi.,
2, June, pp. 223-226, illust. [Damage by Silvereyes, and control
by Butcher-birds. Notes on the rearing and feeding of Cracticus
destructor.)
BOOKS.
Froccatr, W. W.
1923.
1927.
Forest Insects of Australia (Sydney), pp. 1-17. [Chapter I. The
Economic Value of Birds in Forests, pp. 7-8.]
Forest Insects and Timber Borers (Sydney), pp. 1-107. [Forest
Zoology—Birds, p. 7. The Forest Guardian. The Black Cockatoo
(Calyptorhynchus funereus Shaw), pp. 8-9, coloured plate
(frontis) after Gould. Notes are given on the food and habits
of the bird.]
FRENCH, C.
1891.
Handbook of the Destructive Insects of Victoria (Melbourne), 5
volumes.
Part I. Chapter iv. On the Necessity for the Preservation of Our
Insect-destroying Birds, with an Alphabetical List of the
Principal Kinds. Pp. 24-29.
1893.
1900.
1909.
1911.
MCKEOWN AND HINDWOOD. 287
Part II. Chapter xli. Fruit and Grain Eating Birds. Pp. 181-
183.
Part III. Chapter lxii. The White-eyebrowed Wood Swallow
(Artamus superciliosus Gould), pp. 139-140, pl. vlii. (col.) ; Chapt.
lxiv., The White-rumped Wood Swallow (Artamus leucogaster
Val.), pp. 141-142, pl. vliii. (col.) ; Chapt. Ixv., The Narrow-billed
Bronze Cuckoo (Lamprococcyx basalis Hors.), pp. 143-144, pl. lix.
(col.); Chapt. Ixvi, The Pallid Cuckoo (Cacomantis pallidus
Lath.), pp. 145-147, pl. 1x. (col.) ; Chapt. Ixvii., The Restless Fly-
catcher (Seisura inquieta Lath.) , pp. 149-150, pl. 1xi. (col.) ; Chapt.
Ixviii., The White-shafted Fantail (Rhipidura albiscapa Gould),
pp. 151-153, pl. Ixii. (col.) ; Chapt. lxix., The Brown Tree Creeper
(Climacteris scandens Temm.), pp. 155-156, pl. Ixiii. (col.) ; Chapt.
Ixx., The White-throated Tree Creeper (Climacteris leucophaea
Tatham) [sic.], pp. 157-158, pl. lxiv. (col.).
The coloured plates in the first three parts are from paint-
ings by C. C. and T. A. Brittlebank, and do not appear in C.
French’s series in The Journal of the Department of Agriculture
of Victoria (q.v.).
Part IV. Chapter xcii. The Masked Wood-Swallow (Artamus
personatus Gould), pp. 147-149, pl. Ixxxv. (col.); Chapt. xciii.,
The Babbler or Codlin Moth Bird (Pomatorhinus tempordlis V. &
H.), pp. 151-153, pl. Ixxxvi. (col.); Chapt. xciv., The Nankeen
Kestrel (Tinnunculus cenchroides V. & H.), pp. 155-157, pl. 1xxxvii.
(col.); Chapt. xcv., The Magpie Lark (Grallina picata Lath.),
pp. 159-161, pl. Ixxxviii. (col.); Chapt. xcvi. Owlet Nightjar
(Aegotheles novae-hollandiae V. & H.), pp. 163-164, pl. Ixxxix.
(col.); Chapt. xcvii., White-throated Thickhead (Pachycephala
gutturalis Lath.), pp. 165-166, pl. xc. (col.); Chapt. xcviii., The
Flame-breasted Robin (Petroeca phoenicia Gould), pp. 167-169,
pl. xci. (col.); Chapt. xcix., The Red-capped Robin (Petroeca
goodenovii V. & H.), pp. 171-172, pl. xcii. (col.); Chapt. c., The
Harmonious, or Grey Shrike, Thrush (Collyriocincla harmonica
Gould), pp. 173-175, pl. xciii. (col.); Chapt. ci., The Welcome
Swallow (Hirundo neoxena Gould), pp. 177-178, pl. xciv. (col.) ;
Chapt. cii., The Yellow-rumped Tom-tit (Acanthiza chrysorrhoea
Quoy & Gaim.), pp. 179-180, pl. xcv. (col.); Chapt. ciii., The
Australian Bee-eater (Merops ornatus Lath.), pp. 181-182, pl.
xevi. (col.); Chapt. civ. The Blue Wren or Superb Warbler
(Malurus cyaneus Ellis), pp. 183-185, pl. xcvi. (col.); Chapt. cv.,
White-browed Babbler, or Codlin Moth Bird (Pomatostomus
superciliosus V. & H.), pp. 187-188, pl. xcviii. (col.).
Coloured plates are from paintings by C. C. Brittlebank. All
the plates, with the exception of 1xxxix., xc., xcii., xciii., xciv.,
and xcviii., appeared in the series in Agric. Journ. Vic.
Part V. Chapter cxxxiii. White Ibis (Ibis molucca Cuvier), pp.
139-140, pl. cxxvii. (col.); Chapt. cxxxiv., Straw-necked Ibis
(Carphibis spinicollis Reich.), pp. 141-148, pl. cxxviii. (col.) ;
Chapt. cxxxv., White-fronted Heron (Notophoyx novae-hollandiae
Lath.), pp. 143-144, pl. exxix. (col.); Chapt. cxxxvi., Australian
Bustard or Wild Turkey (Eupodotis australis J. E. Gray), pp. 145-
146, pl. cxxx. (col.); Chapt. cxxxvii, Giant Kingfisher or
288
OVERLOOKED BIRD PAPERS.
“Laughing Jackass” (Dacelo gigas Leach), pp. 147-148, pl. cxxxi.
(col.); Chapt. cxxxviii., White-backed Magpie or Crow Shrike
(Gymnorhina leuconota Gould), pp. 149-150, pl. exxxii. (col.);
Chapt. cxxxix., Yellow-breasted Robin (Eopsaltria australis
Lath.) , pp. 151-152, pl. cxxxiii. (col.) ; Chapt. cxi., Southern Stone
Plover (Burhinus grallarius Lath.) , pp. 153-154, pl. cxxxiv. (col.) ;
Chapt. cxli., Boobook Owl (Ninox boobook Lath.) , pp. 155-156, pl.
cxxxv. (col.); Chapt. cxlii., Spine-tailed Swift (Chaetura caud-
acuta Lath.), pp. 157-158, pl. cxxxvi. (col.); Chapt. cxliii., Reed
Warbler (Acrocephalus australis Gould), pp. 159-160, pl. cxxxvii.
(col.); Chapt. cxliv., White-throated Nightjar (Eurystopus
albigularis V. & H.), pp. 161-162, pl. cxxxviii. (col.).
Plates Cxxvii., CXXix., CXXXlil., CXXXV., CXXXVii. are by C. Vald
Andersen; CXXxXii., cxxxiv., CXxXvi. and cCxxxvili. by C. C. Brittle-
bank; cxxx., cxxxi. are unsigned. In some of these illustrations
the eggs are figured. None of these plates appeared elsewhere.]
BULLETINS.
NEW SOUTH WALES.
1890.
Department of Agriculture, New South Wales. Bulletin No. 1.
Report of the Conference of Fruit-growers and Vine-growers,
together with appendices. October, 1890.
[This Bulletin contains papers on Australian Economic
Ornithology: these are listed as under:—
HAMILTON, A. G.
Birds which are Enemies or Friends of Fruit-growers.——pp.
151-154. 108 species are listed.
Norton, Hon. James.
Australian Birds; Useful and Noxious.—Appendix G., pp. 245-
255. Sixty-seven species are specifically referred to, besides many
others in general terms. Deals principally with the good and
bad qualities of the birds as they affect the agriculturist and
horticulturist. Dated. 8th September, 1890.]
Ramsay, E. P.
1918.
Birds Useful to Agriculturalists, Fruit-growers, and Farmers.
—Appendix F., pp. 240-244. Eighty-nine species of insectivorous
birds, usually found in and about gardens and orchards in New
South Wales, are listed.
The Food of Australian Birds. An Investigation into the
Character of the Stomach and Crop Contents. A Summary of
Work done by J. B. Cleland, M.D., Principal Microbiologist,
Department of Public Health; J. H. Maiden, Government
Botanist of New South Wales, and Director, Botanic Gardens,
Sydney; W. W. Froggatt, F.L.S., Government Entomologist; E. W.
Ferguson, M.B., Ch.M., Assistant Microbiologist, Department of
Public Health; C. T. Musson, Lecturer in Botany and Entomology,
Hawkesbury Agricultural College. Department of Agriculture,
New South Wales. Science Bulletin, No. 15. July, 1918, pp. 1-112.
[Introduction (J. B. Cleland), pp. 3-21. Introductory Note
to Appendices I. and II. (J. B. Cleland), pp. 22-23. Appendix
MCKEOWN AND HINDWOOD. 289
I. Tabulated Examination of the Contents of Stomachs and
Crops of each Species of Australian Birds, etc., examined, pp. 24-
43. Appendix II. Tabulated Examination of the Contents of
Stomachs and Crops of the Individual Australian Birds, etc.,
examined, pp. 44-49. Appendix III. Tabulated Examination of
the Contents of Stomachs and Crops of the individual Australian
Birds, etc., examined by C. T. Musson, pp. 100-112.]
[This Bulletin contains details of the examination of the
stomach contents of 1,000 birds. Some of the results were
published for the first time in The Emu, ix., April, 1910, pp. 219-
226; The Emu, xi., October, 1911, pp. 79-95; and in The Agricul-
tural Gazette of New South Wales for May, 1910, (q.v.) results
were given of examination of 200 birds, and these are included
here. In the Second Report of the Government Bureau of
Microbiology, Department of Public Health, New South Wales,
for the years, 1910-1911, p. 192, the results of the examination
of 243 more birds, as well as of the 200 mentioned above, are
given. This was supplemented by the results of another 100
birds, published in the Third Report of the Government Bureau
of Microbiology, Department of Public Health, New South Wales,
1912, p. 181. The matter contained in this Bulletin was originally
collected and arranged with a view to publication about April,
1915, but various circumstances connected with the war of 1914-
1918 delayed publication until July, 1918]
SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
Epeuist, A. G., Lecturer in Nature Study, Department of Education, South
1910.
Australia.
The Protected Birds of South Australia. South Australia, The
Department of Intelligence. Special Bulletin, pp. 1-30, 12 pls.
(col.), by C. Wall.
[Introduction (A. G. Edquist); Protect Our Birds (T. Duf-
field) ; Destruction of Birds (A. G. Edquist) ; Description of Our
Native Birds (A. G. Edquist); Boobook Owl (Mopoke) (Athene
boobook) (fig.); Tawny-shouldered Podargus, or “Frogmouth”
(Podargus humeralis) (fig.); Wood Swallow (Artamus sordidus)
(fig.) ; Brown Tree Creeper (Climacteris scandens) (fig.) ; Striated
Pardalote (Pardalotus striatus), or Diamond Bird (fig.) ; Yellow-
rumped Tom-tit, or Yellow-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza chry-
Sorrhoea) (fig.); Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus australis) (fig.) ;
Magpie Lark, Murray Magpie, Pied Grallina, Mudlark, or Pee-wee
(Grallina australis) (fig.); Harmonious Shrike Thrush (Colluri-
cincla harmonica) (fig.); Blue Dove, or Black-faced Graucalus
(Graucalus melanops) (fig.); White-fronted Chat (Ephthianura
albifrons) (fig.); Ground Lark, or Pipit (Anthus australis) (fig.) ;
Spotted Bower Bird (Chlamydodera maculata) (fig.); Pallid
Cuckoo, or Unadorned Cuckoo (Cuculus inornatus) (fig.) ; Straw-
necked Ibis (Geronticus spinicollis) (fig.); Royal Spoonbill
(Platalea regia) (fig.); Yellow-legged Spoonbill (Platalea
flavipes) (fig.); Plumed Egret (Herodias plumiferous) (fig.);
White-fronted Heron, or Blue Crane (Ardea novae-hollandiae)
(fig.) ; Australian Bittern, or Boomer (Botaurus australis) (fig.) ;
Marsh Tern (Hydrochelidon fiuviatilis) (fig.).
290 THE “GUNDLACHIA” PUZZLE.
[References are given to the names used in Mathews’ Hand
List. Each species is dealt with under the following headings:—
Other species in South Australia, Size, Bill, Legs, Plumage,
Habitat, Food, Nest, Eggs, and in some cases with additional
general notes. The Bulletin owes its origin to Thos. Duffield,
Secretary to the Commissioner of Crown Lands. The plates are
reproduced by photo-litho from paintings by C. Wall, Govern-
ment Artist, and figure both birds and eggs. The publication
was issued to every public school and institution, and police
stations throughout the State. The coloured plates and portion
of the text were reprinted in The Journal of the Department of
Agriculture of South Australia (q.v., Edquist, 1911-1912) .]
THE “GUNDLACHIA” PUZZLE.
By Tom IREDALE.
(Contribution from The Australian Museum, Sydney, N.S.W.)
Another step towards the elucidation of the Molluscan “Gundlachia”
puzzle is here presented. In this Journal, Vol. x., p. 229, April 30, 1943, I
sketched the history of the capbearing Australian Ancylids, and introduced
the name Problancylus for these, as obviously Gundlachia was not applicable.
The small freshwater Limpets, known as Ancylids, have a world-wide dis-
tribution, and a curious apparent aberration was discovered in Cuba, and
named Gundlachia. A similar aberration turned up in New Zealand and
Tasmania, and then in South Australia and Victoria. From examination of
the records I concluded that Problancylus was almost certainly an aber-
rational development, occurring in stagnant water.
Now Sgt. F. Elkington Allen has brought in a series of Problancylus,
from a backwater of the Peel River, near Tamworth, N.S.W., the first record
from this State. The shell is large for the genus, elongate oval, parallel-
sided, bearing a cap on the sinister apex, the right edge of the shell
advanced beyond the apex. Sculpture of fine radial striae. The cap is
small, notable, not detached, thovgh obliquely placed. Interiorly the
entrance to the cap is seen as figured by Hedley. The N.S.W. shell measures
5.25 mm. in length by 3 mm. in breadth by 1.75 mm. in height; it is longer
and the cap does not project as in petterdi, and is here named Problancylus
anticipatus, sp. nov. It will be figured later.
Even more interesting is a series of Ancylids, collected by Dr. Consett
Davis, in the Harding Ranges, North-west Australia, which perpetuate the
cap of Problancylus in the adult. The shell, measuring 3 mm. by 1.5 mm.
by .75 mm., is from above a very ordinary parallel-sided Ancylus, but the
under-surface shows a shelf extending two-thirds of the shell, leaving only
a small aperture exactly as in the Problancylus cap, this aperture being
narrower than broad, only 1 mm. in length.
This is named as the type of a new genus and species, Stimulator con-
setti, and its discovery must lead to a revision of the “Gundlachia’” puzzle,
even providing later the solution.
291
THE KILLER WHALES OF TWOFOLD BAY, N.S.W., AUSTRALIA,
GRAMPUS ORCA.
By C. E. WELLINGs.
(Plate xv.)
During the early settlement of Australia the whaling industry provided
probably the most remarkable association ever recorded as between man
and non-domesticated animals. Such a strange co-operation between
killer whales and the open-boat whaling crews of the Twofold Bay whaling
station may seem incredible, but for almost 100 years this state of affairs
definitely existed, the following account being reliable and authentic.
Killer whales are known in all oceans, particularly about the Antarctic
region. They belong to the toothed species, Grampus orca. The body is
much like that of the porpoise, stout, but streamlined. Length, to about
20 feet, skin black with white patches behind the dorsal fin and on under-
part of body; jaws show great strength, with large pointed conical teeth
which interlock. The high dorsal fin is a distinctive feature. Food consists
of almost anything, seals, porpoises, fish, sharks, squid, penguins, etc. They
are very savage, resembling in this way a pack of wild dogs, and are
capable of great speed.
“Tom,” whose skeleton is preserved in the Eden Museum, was one of
a pack or school of about 20 to 30 that visited Twofold Bay every year
during the whaling season, June to November. Mr. Geo. Davidson, master-
whaler, has told me that when he was 14 years of age (1878) the killers
lived as three mobs or families, known then as “Hookey’s,” “Stranger’s,”
and “‘Cooper’s” mobs, though all worked together attacking a whale, and
that there were then 27 of them altogether. Of later years they all formed
One pack. They arrived here a week or so in advance of the whales and
made their home in the bay near Red Point (Jews Head) locally known as
South Head, and upon which stands Boyd’s Tower. They cruised about
the bay or a few miles north or south, invariably returning each evening.
Several of them were easily recognised, chiefly by their fins, and were
accordingly named. ‘‘Tom” had a particularly high fin with an indentation
near the top. “Humpy’s” fin was bent round almost touching his side.
‘“Hookey’s” fin was bent to the right at an angle of about 45°. These fins,
consisting of cartilage and not bone, probably were damaged by a whale’s
tail during an attack in early life. The following are names by which
some were recognised in the early days of whaling, as far back as the
year 1800. “Hookey,” “Humpy,”’ “Stranger,” “Cooper,” “Tom,” “Jackson,”
“Typee,” “Kincher,” “Jimmy,” “Albert,” “Old Ben,’ “Young Ben.’
Of these, several disappeared and young ones arrived. “Old Ben” died
off Mowara Point, “Young Ben’ later disappeared, “Jimmy” fouled the
buoy-line fast to a dead whale and was found drowned when the line was
taken in next morning, “Jackson” also fouled a buoy-line some years later,
but being noticed in difficulty the whaling crew rescued him. The line was
unwound by Geo. Davidson, the killer remaining quiet and then it ‘flop-
tailed” before making off. In 1901 “Typee’” became stranded on Aslings
beach, together with a small species of whale, locally known as a grampus,
which was being attacked by the pack. In order to claim recognised
ownership with the object of selling the whale to the crew, a local resident
292 THE KILLER WHALES OF AUSTRALIA.
killed both. This incident caused much annoyance to the whaling crew,
who had endeavoured to arrive in time to try and rescue the killer by an
attempt to tow him off.
“Tom” developed a bad habit of getting across the slack line between
the whale and boat, holding it under a fin and towing the boat in any
direction. This habit was deliberate, and appeared to be mischief, though
a nuisance. Even small boats whilst fishing have had the kellick line taken
and the boat dangerously towed off. It was suggested that he at times took
the line in his teeth and that the missing teeth in the top jaw were broken
out in this way. However, upon examination of the skeleton, a well-known
dental surgeon positively attributed their loss as the result of a severe
abscess.
As whales passed Twofold Bay, travelling north along the coast and
returning again later in the season, the killer whales attacked them, work-
ing much in the manner of a pack of savage dogs. Some kept wide outside,
making as much noise as possible to prevent escape into deep water; others
attacked by tearing the whale’s lips away and so caused drowning; also,
as the whale came to the surface for air a killer would often lay over the
head to cover the nostrils to prevent breathing. The Eden whaling crew
having attacked and harpooned the whale, the mutual assistance was of
advantage to both crew and killers. The dead whale provided a feast of
tongue for the killers; evidently this is very choice, for except the lips, no
other portion was touched. The assistance to the Eden whaling crews
resulted in many more whales being caught than otherwise was possible,
often, too, during the darkest nights.
The killers certainly recognised the assistance of the boats, for at night
when ‘watch” is almost useless, often have one or two killers arrived off
the whaling station and, by making much noise “blowing” and “flop-
tailing,” attracted the crew, who would launch the boats and follow the
killers, which stayed near about the boat until the whale attacked by the
other killers was reached, perhaps two miles distant. During daylight,
when the boats were off at “rush oh” alarm, killers would meet them a
mile or so from the whale and accompany them to the “chase.”
The alliance between the killer whales ana the whaling crews probably
came about in this way: When a whale was killed it usually sank to the sea
bottom, to rise again, after decomposition set in, in about 20 hours; in the
meantime the “killers” enjoyed a feast of its tongue. Not being molested
by the whale-boats, fear of them was dispelled, and association developed,
resulting in mutual assistance of advantage to both.
When the whaling industry languished, about 1912, the school of
killers did not re-appear, only occasionally were one or two seen again;
perhaps the school was destroyed or dispersed by the whaling fleets in the
Antarctic region.
On Wednesday, September 17th, 1930, a “killer” was seen floating dead
in the bay, and upon investigation it was found to be “Tom,” who evidently
had died a day or two earlier. Mr. J. R. Logan, of “Edrom,” East Boyd,
Eden, became interested to preserve the skeleton as of historic value, and
with the assistance of Geo. Davidson, master-whaler, this was accomplished
with great success and satisfaction.
“Tom” was 22 ft. long; tail-flukes, from point to point, 5 ft.; the tail,
as in all whales, is horizontal with the body (not vertical, as in a fish); the
WELLINGS. 293
dorsal fin was 5 ft. 8 in. high, and the side-fins 4 ft. 6in. long by 2 ft. 10 in.
wide.
It is surprising to notice that many visitors do not know that a whale
is a mammal, not a fish, so it is interesting to note the skeleton formation.
There are 50 vertebrae—13 ribs (one floating). The side-fins represent the
modified forearms of land animals, including the bones of the hand, the
two bones (ulna and radius) of the forearm, the (humerus) bone of the
upper-arm and the shoulder blade. The head and jaw bones are massive
and rounded, not beaked like a dolphin, and the tongue and ear-bones are
present.
In order to maintain the true length, pieces of wood were inserted
between the vertebrae to replace the cartilage. The high dorsal fin is
composed of flesh and cartilage, so this also could not be preserved.
With “Tom’s” skeleton, now an exhibit in the Eden Museum, are a few
bones of whales killed at Eden—jaw bones, ribs and vertebrae. One
vertebrae is from a “fin-back” whale which was 97 feet long.
I was a resident of Eden in my early life and saw many “chases’’ and
captures of whales from the cliff shores round the town. During several
whaling seasons I lived in the home of Mr. George Davidson, master-whaler,
working among the whalers, and have taken part in the capture of whales
aS a member of the whale-boat’s crew. The opportunity for personal
observation has thus been exceptional and from notes and photographs i
made during this time the above account has been put together.
KILLER WHALES IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
Under this heading Mr. Bernard C. Cotton retails in “The South
Australian Naturalist” for December, 1943, an account of Killer Whales seen
in South Australia. Mr. Sydney E. C. Gay was the relater of the incident,
as follows:—“While out fishing in a 35-foot boat, two miles south of Port
MacDonnell, south-east of South Australia, on December 10, 1942, he saw a
large Whale cow, apparently the Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus),
about 70 feet in length, and a calf about 35 feet in length, being pursued,
or rather herded, beachwards by eleven Killer Whales. The Killers were
furiously and ferociously pursuing both cow and calf, diving and swimming
rapidly, and apparently attacking the head of the whale. Mr. Gay and his
two companions were frequently in peril. On one occasion the large whale
swam headlong towards their small craft, and the water from the blow-
hole in the head of the whale sprayed the occupants of the boat.”
Mr. Cotton quotes other references to Killer Whales, including one by
Mr. T. P. O. Menzies, Curator of the Scientific Association, City Museum,
Vancouver, who supplied his own original paintings of the Indian Killer
Whale designs forming the cover design of “The South Australian
Naturalist,’ and which are reproduced by permission as plate xvi. of this
journal. Mr. Menzies also supplied a legend he obtained direct from a
Haida Indian, and which we reprint:—
“The Haida Indians of the Queen Charlotte Islands and the Prince of
Wales Island, a war-like race, might be described as the Vikings of the
North Pacific. They had a legend of the ‘Killer Whale,’ which to them was
possessed of the evil spirit, and came from a domain called Het-gwan-ta-na
(Lower regions).
294 THE KILLER WHALES OF AUSTRALIA.
“During their seal hunting and halibut fishing expeditions they dreaded
to see one of these creatures, as they seemed to delight in pursuing the
Haidas and smashing up their canoes. When this happened the Indians
were thrown into the sea and drowned. After a period the spirits of the
drowned Indians were supposed to enter the Killer Whales and to be con-
trolled by Het-gwan-ta-na.
“Long ago there were two warriors, who started off in their canoe to
challenge the Killer Whale. Before long they found themselves surrounded
by a big school of Killer Whales, who attacked and badly damaged their
canoe. One of the men swore an oath that he would kill as many as he
could before he himself was transferred into one. He was drowned, and
his companion, clinging to the smashed canoe, was finally blown on to an
island and rescued.
“His rescuers searched for the body of his friend; then one evening
they heard strange noises as if from beneath the ground. Suddenly they
saw large quantities of fish of all descriptions floating up dead, amongst
which was a monstrous Killer Whale, dying with a large wound in its belly.
The whale finally died, and its body was washed up on the beach. The
medicine man of their tribe said ‘that he had had a vision and saw the
Indian who was drowned attack the chief of the Killer Whales and gave
it its death stroke.’ In doing this, he became the chief of Killer Whales
and lord of Het-gwan-ta-na, the Lower regions.”
Mr. Cotton adds that the South Australian Field Naturalist Section
would be pleased to hear of any further Australian records of Killers —
[Eds.]
AUSTRALIAN PEARLY NAUTILUS.
By Tom IREDALE.
(Contribution from The Australian Museum, Sydney, N.S.W.)
The Pearly Nautilus, as a relict species of great beauty and form, has
always been a source of interest, scientifically, as well as popularly. That
more than one species existed has always been admitted, but the exact
number of living species has not yet been determined. Up to the present
time no living specimen has been secured in Australian waters, though I
have been told of some seen off Dunk Island, North Queensland. Mr. Chas.
Hedley secured a shell at Murray Island, with remains of muscle scar
attachment, while recently Mr. G. P. Whitley picked up a shell at Fraser
Island in similar condition. On a stretch of beach below Cape Bedford,
North Queensland, I counted over one hundred broken shells, while at the
Mission Station, there was a large case full of perfect specimens picked
up at various times along this beach within a distance of about one mile.
Obviously all these had not drifted hundreds of miles, and it seems certain
there is some breeding place in North Queensland. Mr. G. P. Whitley has
now sent me a very fine shell from Pelsart Island, Abrolhos Group, Western
Australia, which also retains portion of the muscle scar flesh, suggesting
there is a breeding place in Western Australia also. This shell is very
different from the Queensland ones, and instigated this review. When
IREDALE. 295
Linné named Nautilus pompilius, Rumph’s illustration is the first one with
exact locality agreeing with the locality “In India” vaguely added by Linné,
so that the type locality can be fixed as Amboina. Rumph’s painting shows
a rather small imperforate shell with rather distant banding continuous to
edge, some twenty-two or three wrinkly bands.
The North Queensland shells all agree in their somewhat small size,
not exceeding 6 inches in diameter, but with the painting very different,
only some twelve to fourteen bands clearly separable at periphery, not
continuing to edge, and not as wrinkled as in the preceding figure, appar-
ently also of different colour, lake not brown.
The Western Australian specimen collected by Whitley is a much larger
shell, eight inches in diameter, still imperforate, but with different band-
ing, the bands being interrupted, and, though some twenty-four in number,
they are quite restricted in range, the posterior half of the shell being
bandless.
Other Nautiloid species show an umbilical cavity, varying from very small
to very large, and there is confusion among these also. Generally, the
species with the very large umbilicus is a large shell, and is commonly
known as the King Nautilus on this account. The Nautilus, with the
medium-sized umbilicus, varies in the nature of that, while there is another
with a very small perforation.
It will be best to display these systematically as the names have been
confused.
NAUTILUS POMPILIUS, Linné.
Nautilus pompilius Linné, Syst. Nat., x. ed., p. 709, January, 1758. In India.
Rumph’s citation being first one determinable with locality, so that
Amboina is here selected as type locality.
As most imperforate shells have been classed under this name, its exact
range is at present indeterminable, “Eastern Archipelago to Feejees,” re-
corded by Bennett, eighty-five years ago, being accepted by most writers
without question. As noted above, the Amboina form appears distinctive,
and has not yet been met with in Australian waters.
NAUTILUS ALUMNUS, Sp. nov.
Nautilus pompilius, of Australian writers, Brazier, Hedley, etc., recording
shells from Queensland, drifted specimens from New South Wales.
This differs from the Amboina shell, as above defined, and all the shells
seen are in agreement in coloration and design.
There is a record of a living specimen from Yorke’s Peninsula, South
Australia, A. R. Riddle, Trans. Roy. Soc. South Austr., Vol. xliv.,.p. 257, 1920,
which is not acceptable.
NAUTILUS REPERTUS, Sp. NOV.
Nautilus ambiguus Sowerby, Thes. Conch., Vol. ii., p. 464, pl. xcvii., fig. 2,
1849. No locality given. Not Nautilus ambiguus Fichtel & Moll, Test.
Micr., 1798, 62 (Sherborn) .
Shell large, imperforate, brownish umbilical patch, with white band
separating this from the narrow peripheral bands, which are orange brown,
separate, only extending on half the shell, the major portion being white.
296 AUSTRALIAN PEARLY NAUTILUS.
It will be noted that the coloration and size are of the Scrobiculatus style,
but this species is imperforate.
The specimen sent by Mr. Whitley from Pelsart Island, Abrolhos, W.A.,
measures 83 inches across, the depth 64 inches, the width of the mouth 4
inches. Mr. Whitley has also forwarded an excellent drawing of a shell,
W.A. Mus., Regd. No. 12976, from Rottnest Island, which is here reproduced.
It seems even a little larger, the drawing giving a little over 9 inches, 7
inches, 4-1/5th inches respectively, but in every detail it agrees with the
specimen in hand.
NAUTILUS STENOMPHALUS, Sowerby.
Nautilus stenomphalus Sowerby, Thes. Conch., Vol. ii., p. 465, pl. xcvii., fig.
3, 1849. No locality given = North Queensland.
This is quite distinct through the occurrence of a small umbilical per-
foration. Coloration and size similar to that of N. macromphalus, umbilicus
less than half an inch in- diameter, sides steep, umbilical area sloping,
coloration lake, peripheral bands separate but tending to merge, not
running into umbilicus, leaving a white circumbilical area.
NAUTILUS MACROMPHALUS, Sowerby.
Nautilus macromphalus Sowerby, Thes. Conch., Vol. ii., p. 464, pl. xcviii.,
figs. 4-5, 1849. No locality = Island of Pines, New Caledonia.
This very distinct form with wide umbilicus was localised by Bennett,
the wide umbilicus, less than an inch in diameter, having sloping sides, the
colouring being lake, broad bands separate on periphery, running into
umbilicus and extending to the mouth but disappearing towards the peri-
phery posteriorly.
IREDALE. 297
Apparently the common New Caledonian species. Shells occur on the
Queensland coast not infrequently.
The figure here presented by G. P. Whitley of a Western Australian
shell from Geraldton, W.A. Mus., No. 11460, agrees very closely with Sowerby’s
figure, but autoptical comparison may necessitate separation.
AWA
\
GPW
In the Austr. Mus. Mag., Vol. vii., p. 112, 1940, there is a photograph of
a Pearly Nautilus brought alive from Maré Island, Loyalty Group, which
seems to be of this species.
NAUTILUS SCROBICULATUS, Solander.
Nautilus scrobiculatus Solander, Catalogue Portland Mus., p. 182, ante
April 24, 1786. New Guinea, citing Lister, 552, 4, and Knorr, iv., 22, 1.
Cf. Proc. Mal. Soc. (Lond.), Vol. xii., p. 90, 1916.
Nautilus umbilicatus Lamarck, Hist. Anim. s. Verteb., Vol. vii., p. 633, 1822.
First reference, Lister, Conch., t. 552, fig. 4.
Nautilus umbilicatus “Lister,’ Sowerby, Thes. Conch., Vol. ii., pl. xcviii., fig.
7, 1849. No locality given. Noted there was a prior N. umbilicatus
Linné.
Nautilus perforatus Conrad, Journ. Ac. Nat. Sci. Philad., Vol. i., p. 213, 1849.
Am. Journ. Conch., Vol. ii., p. 101, 1866.
Nautilus texturatus Gould, Proc. Zool. Soc. (Lond.), 1857, p. 20, June 6;
introduced for the Listerian shell, restricting scrobiculatus to a smooth
one!
This form with the large steep-sided umbilicus and rough surface has
been Known from the earliest conchological times, being separated in
Lister’s work, issued in 1685-92. It is immediately recognised through its
298 AUSTRALIAN PEARLY NAUTILUS.
roughened surface, but as some are smoother than others, Gould separated
two species, but as no localities were known, and he cited Lister’s shell his
name is invalid. Bennett gave as localities “Solomon Islands, New Georgia,
New Britain, and New Ireland,’ and this form occurs (drifted) in North
Queensland.
Shell large, usually larger than pompilius, although Lamarck gave the
latter as 7 inches 8 lines, a fine sculpture of microscopic concentric wavy
lines present, umbilicus broad, over an inch in diameter, the sides steep,
colouring deep brownish orange, confluent on periphery, bands, narrow,
running into umbilicus, the posterior half of the shell unbanded.
NOTES ON DISTRIBUTION OF AUSTRALIAN FINCHES.
Compiled by A. I. OrmsBy.
(Period: February-November, 1943.)
During the above period I have been on the Atherton Tablelands,
between Ravenshoe and Herberton, Queensland, travelling considerably in
and around the locality.
As a aviculturist, formerly specialising in finches (I have kept and bred
most Australian species), I was naturally on the look-out for field notes. To
my surprise, during the whole time I was on the Tableland, I only
encountered two species, namely, the Black-rumped Parson Finch, Poephila
atropygialis, and the Red-browed Finch, Aegintha temporalis. The former
was quite common in the vicinity of camps, one camper informing me that
he was feeding about 40 at the cookhouse. One pair built a nest in an old
lemon tree only a few yards from the camp. Unfortunately, owing to a
move, I was unable to continue observations. This nest was built in March
before the wet season was completely finished. Just as in the aviary, the
rough structure was completed in a couple of days. Unlike the former, the
Red-browed Finch could be found in large flocks, particularly in low bushes
along creeks and watercourses in open country. The Red-browed Finch is
the shyer of the two birds, but frankly there are few really “wild” birds on
the Tablelands in the sense that they are shy and timid as we see them
around Sydney. The finches are all found in open country. I have never
found them in jungle or thick wooded country. I am quite convinced that
if there were any other species of finch about I would have observed them,
particularly on account of their ground feeding, and the tiny trumpet notes
of the Zebra could scarcely have eluded me. Incidentally, the Zebra Finch
was quite common around Townsville. Could the areas of dense jungle
have been a barrier to this and other finches?
Another matter, possibly of interest, was the absence from the Table-
lands of the Fairy Wrens, excepting one species, the Red-backed Wren,
Malurus melanocephalus. This dainty little bird was particularly tame,
occasionally coming into the tent, and I have observed them from a range
of a few feet. Possibly the same factors operate with this family as with
the finches. I never saw these birds in the jungle, and seldom more than a
couple of feet from the ground.
299
THE LAND MOLLUSCA OF LORD HOWE ISLAND.
By Tom IREDALE.
(Plates Xvii.-xx.)
(Contribution from The Australian Museum, Sydney, N.S.W.)
Years ago I reported upon the Land Mollusca of the Kermadec Islands,
and made contrast with that known from Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands.
Later I discussed in more detail the series collected by Roy Bell at Norfolk
Island with that of the Kermadec Islands, and anticipated a discussion
with material arriving from Lord Howe Island from the same collector, Mr.
Roy Bell. Before it is too late an account is here produced, and it has the
advantage that in the intervening years I have examined much material,
having listed the land shells of Australia and Papua.
The collections made by Roy Bell passed through my hands, and were
studied by H. B. Preston, who discriminated and named many genera and
species, but the names have not been published, though series were distri-
buted. .There is a series of “cotypes” in the Australian Museum, and these
have been used for description, the names attached being retained. Much
additional material has been available, and the specimens have all been
reviewed again and again, and it is certain that this remarkable faunula
is not yet completely known, though the present essay records an almost
incredible number for such a small island.
Lord Howe Island is situated about 450 miles north-east from Sydney,
and is a political appanage of this State, but not by any means a zoological
part. It is a small crescent-shaped islet, the small northern ridges rising
to 700 odd feet, being separated from the main rocky mass by sandy low-
lands, the bulk of the island being the two heights, Mt. Lidgbird, rising to
2,504 feet, and Mt. Gower, 2,840 feet, connected by a saddle some 1,000 feet,
from which a deep gully known as the Erskine Valley runs to the western
sea. The climate is temperate, and the rainfall good, so that the vege-
tation is dense.
An excellent account of the history of the island and the zoological
collectors has been published by Hindwood in the Emu, Vol. xl., July, 1940,
and also issued separately, entitled: “The Birds of Lord Howe Island.”
Although the island was discovered in 1788, none of the earlier visitors
apparently collected land shells until Macdonald and Macgillivray called
there in the Herald in 1852 and 1853. The latter was a brilliant collector
and sent his finds to London, where some specimens fell into the hands of
Cuming, and hence acquired description. It may he recalled that Mac-
gillivray’s collection of Kermadec shells went to the British Museum, and
reposed there undisturbed for some sixty years. It may be that part of
this Lord Howe Island collection suffered a similar fate, but, anyhow, the
collections were confused with those from another Lord Howe Island in the
New Hebrides, and the confusion still remains.
Brazier has reported that Macgillivray collected ten species, but this
seems to have been surmised, from the published accounts only. Macdonald
observed once that he had collected three species of one genus, but did not
mention anything further. As noted, these were described in London, but
300 THE LAND MOLLUSCA OF LORD HOWE ISLAND.
all the succeeding work appeared in Sydney, through local collectors,
Masters, Brazier and Morton, visiting the island in 1869, 1872-73 and 1882
respectively. Then a wave of enthusiasm led to the Australian Museum
Expedition of 1887, which resulted in a “Memoir” on the island. It was led
by R. Etheridge, Jr.. and T. Whitelegge is recorded as the collector of
mollusca, seven new species of land shells being added. The Museum con-
tinued its interest, Waite, McCulloch, Hedley, North and Hull visiting it
between 1900-1910,, and since then Troughton, Musgrave, Whitley, Miss
Allan and myself have collected there. While specimens have accumulated
from these visits, practically no written account has appeared since Hedley
recorded the results of the 1887 Expedition.
G. M. Mathews secured the services of Roy Bell, of the Kermadec Islands,
for the investigation of the ornithology of Norfolk Island and Lord Howe
Island. Roy Bell and I had explored the Kermadecs together, and he
collected molluscs on the same system at Norfolk Island, where he made
an extraordinary collection. He continued with those of Lord Howe Island,
a really wonderful collection, and the basis of this report.
A plate (xvii.) is attached, giving two views of the island, one from the
old settlement, looking southward. In the foreground, on the right, lies
Goat or Rabbit Island, while the two mountains are clearly seen in the
back. The nearest, Mt. Lidgbird, is separated from Mt. Gower, which is
higher, by a deep ravine, known as the Erskine Valley, which reaches up
about one thousand feet, the height of the connecting saddle between the
two mountains. Anywhere, about the saddle, is regarded as the heights,
while the “Summit of Mt. Lidgbird” was never reached, until Roy Bell made
a track, all previous citations being to low altitudes.
The other view is from the Lower Road, across the base of the wall of
Mt. Lidgbird, looking northwards; it takes in all the lagoon: again showing
Goat Island, and shows the North Ridge in the distance, the curious peak
on the left being known as Mt. Eliza. In between the North Ridge and
Mt. Lidgbird is low uneven country, ranging from sea level up to 700 ft.,
and this is regarded as the Lowlands. An appreciable extent of this low-
lands is blown coral sand, sometimes forming coralsand rock. Other
localities cited are well-known, locally, though some will not appear on
ordinary maps.
Etheridge, Jnr., and Hedley wrote “Ledgbird,”’ but the acknowledged
spelling is now “Lidgbird,”’ and this spelling has been used throughout.
My very sincere thanks are here tendered for the excellent drawings
made by Miss Joyce Allan, who has recently returned to the Museum, after
two years’ absence on war duties.
Class GASTROPODA.
Subclass PROSOBRANCHIA.
Order PECTINIBRANCHIA.
Family GEORISSIDAE.
There seems to be no good reason for continuing the association of the
Indo-Pacific Georissid forms with the Mediterranean and Atlantic species
of Hydrocena in a family Hydrocenidae, so the former are here separated
as above.
The Lord Howe representative is reported as living on moss on the S.S.E.
IREDALE. 301
side of Mt. Gower, among dry leaves at North Bay, and in crevices of the
cliffs half-way up Mt. Lidgbird in dryish places.
Genus MonrteERISSA, 70v.
Type, M. gowerensis, nov.
Similar to the Australian Omphalorissa, but the shell lacks spiral sculp-
ture, the pad is restricted to the anterior portion of the inner lip, and the
operculum differs, being paucispiral with nucleus small and basal.
MONTERISSA GOWERENSIS, Sp. 7200V.
(Plate xviii., fig. 1.)
Shell minute, turbinate, brownish yellow, imperforate, whorls four,
rounded, sutures deep, last whorl large, mouth oval, outer lip thin, columella
slanting, inner lip reflected, as a pad covering the umbilicus at every stage
of life. Length, 2.25 mm.; breadth, 1.75 mm.
Family REALIIDAE (OMPHALOTROPDDAE, Olim) .
The details concerning this alteration have been given in this Journal
(Vol. x., p. 59, December 19, 1941). Species referable occur commonly on
this island and Norfolk Island, and are very different in appearance, so
that four genera are here distinguished.
Genus DuritTropis, nov. Shell small, conical, apical whorls smooth,
turbinate, later whorls sculptured with longitudinal wavy ribs, suture im-
pressed, whorls convex, strong peripheral keel with pronounced umbilical
keel, umbilical area large, umbilicus narrow, operculum paucispiral, horny.
Type, O. brenchleyi, Sykes. Norfolk Island.
Genus TELMOSENA, nov. Shell small, acutely conical (awl-shaped), apical
whorls smooth, dome-shaped, later whorls smooth, suture lightly impressed,
whorls little convex, no peripheral keel, umbilical keel strong, umbilical
area very small, perforation obsolete, operculum normal.
Type, O. suteri, Sykes. Norfolk Island.
Genus OPINORELIA, nov. Shell smaller than preceding, stoutly conical,
apical whorls smooth, turbinate, a little elevated, later whorls smoothish,
with fine concentric threads, suture deep, peripheral keel obsolete on last
whorl, but sometimes recognisable on earlier ones, umbilical area large
without keel, and only small perforation, operculum normal.
Type, O. howeinsulae, nov. Lord Howe Island.
Genus LiwsoreEtia, nov. Shell much larger than any of the above,
acutely conical, last whorl broad, apical whorls flattened, dome-shaped,
smooth, later whorls with very fine spiral threads, suture lightly impressed,
whorls little convex, peripheral keel well marked, umbilical area large,
bounded by strong keel, umbilicus narrow, operculum paucispiral.
Type, Hydrocena exquisita Pfeiffer. Lord Howe Island.
Obviously the two Lord Howe Island forms are quite unlike the two
Norfolk Island ones, and indicate different origin and development.
Genus OPINORELIA, supra.
This puzzling form recalls the succeeding in some ways, but disagrees
302 THE LAND MOLLUSCA OF LORD HOWE ISLAND.
in others; the very rounded last whorl without keel, and the lack also of the
circumbilical keel, separate it at sight, while the curious sculpture is also
distinctive, but the form of the mouth is very similar.
OPINORELIA HOWEINSULAE, Sp. nOv.
(Plate xviii., fig. 2.)
Shell small, conico-turbinate, whorls very rounded, dark brown. Apex
of one and a half whorls, smooth, suture canalicylate, adult whorls five with
deep sutures, smooth with distant concentric slight fringed striae, the striae
interrupted by growth periods, ten striae on penultimate, twenty on last
whorl, mouth suboval, outer lip circular, thin, columella short slanting
concealing the umbilicus which is very small.
Height, 4 mm.; breadth, 3 mm.
Type locality: The Lowlands, among palm trees.
This seems to be a form of the lowlands, specimens from the top of
Mount Lidgbird, being apparently larger and broader, measuring 5.5 mm.
by 4.5 mm., and may be called O. h. belli, subsp. nov. In some specimens
there is a thread running from the anterior end of the inner lip into the
umbilicus, but this is not always distinct.
Genus LIMBORELIA, supra.
The acute spire, flattened whorls, swollen body whorl, keeled periphery,
small umbilicus, with circumbilical keel, separate the type widely from the
preceding.
LIMBRORELIA EXQUISITA, Pfeiffer.
Hydrocena exquisita Pfeiffer, Proc. Zool. Soc. (Lond.), 1854, p. 307, May 8,
1855. Lord Howe Island (McGillivray) .
Omphalotropis pfeifferi Crosse, Journ. de Conch., Vol. xvi., p. 178, April 1,
1868. ‘Lord Howe Island, New Hebrides.” Figured, next volume (Vol.
XVii.) , pl. xii., fig. 7, April 1, 1869.
The descriptions show that these refer to the same species, apparently
the incorrect locality misleading Crosse. It is the common Lowland form,
and has not been received from the mountain tops, where its place appears
to be taken by the succeeding.
LIMBORELIA INNESI, Sp. 70V.
(Plate xviii., fig. 3.)
Shell smaller than the preceding, and easily separated by the shouldered
whorls. Shell small, stoutly conical, dark brown, whorls six with one and
a half apical whorls, which appear smooth; adult whorls sculptured with
very fine close concentric thread lines, suture very deep, each whorl show-
ing a notable shoulder. Peripheral keel pronounced, circumbilical keel
present, umbilicus small, half hidden by the columella, which is perpendi-
cular. Height, 4 mm.; breadth, 2.25 mm.
Abundant on Black Face, Mt. Lidgbird.
On the top of Mt. Gower this form occurs, but the shouldering is less
pronounced, and the circumbilical keel becomes obsolete. This may be
called L. i. adjuncta subsp. nov. Specimens from the top of Mt. Lidgbird
agree better with this, than with the lower typical form.
IREDALE. 303
It may be noted that Hedley figured (Rec. Austr. Mus., Vol. i., p. 143,
pl. xxi., fig. 8, 1891), a shell as Realia exquisita (Pfr.), which looks like this,
but the shell labelled as original is a smooth unkeeled shell. He used O.
pfeifferi Crosse, for the true ezquisita.
Family DIPLOMMATINIDAE.
This family of small operculate snails shows an extraordinary represen-
tation, the number of species being abnormal and apparently never-ending.
Denis Macdonald reported that he had collected three species in 1852,
and Macgillivray, the year later, was credited with four, but this number
included two erroneously localised. When the Museum Expedition of
1887 only reported two, Hedley only recorded two, but noted that many
varieties apparently existed. Upon examination, the material has yielded
seven forms, and about double that number is here recorded as a basis only.
There was discussion at the introduction of the first genus, Diplommatina,
as to whether it were operculiferous or not. It seems to have been over-
looked that Denis Macdonald definitely stated that some of the Fijian
species lacked entirely an operculum. Semper noted that the operculum of
Pelew Island species was so small that he had difficulty in finding it, while
Gassie’s also observed that the New Caledonian species had a very small
operculum. In the multitude of Lord Howe Island she!ls I have handled
I have failed to catch sight of a single operculum. Perhaps, as Denis
Macdonald concluded, we are here confronted with the anomaly of a non-
operculiferous operculate, though the Norfolk Island species have a large
notable operculum as he figured in the Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., Ser. 4, Vol. iv.,
p. 78, pl. iv., August 1, 1869.
Genus PALAINA, Semper.
In the Journ. de Conch., Vol. xjii., p. 289, July 1, 1865, O. Semper wrote
a “Notice preliminaire sur le famille des Diplommatinacées,” and on pp.
290-91 recorded that “H. & A. Adams had separated Arinia and Pazvillus,
and Martens, Diancta.” To these he would add a fourth, consisting of a
series of new species, and including some from Australia. This group he
named Palaina, and gave a list of fifteen undescribed new species, and
macgillivrayi Pir., and capillacea Pfr. The two last are the only ones
identifiable, and I designate macgillivrayi Pfr., as type of Palaina. This is
necessary as Thiele, apparently following Kobelt and Mollendorff, has given
patula Crosse, as example.
The true Palaina, as developed on Lord Howe Island, includes sinistral
shells, varying from 1.5 mm. to 6 mm. in length, the largest being the
typical macgillivrayi. The apex is small, turbinate, and smooth, the adult
whorls descending rapidly, the juvenile being a conical openly perforate
shell, the fourth or fifth whorl ascending a little, closing entirely the um-
bilical area, and forming a more or less circular mouth with expanded lip
closely appressed to the body whorl. Operculum so far not seen, if present
at all. A curious feature is the change of sculpture seen on last whorl just
above the aperture, where a depression is noted in which the sculpture is
much finer than that preceding and succeeding it.
Four species were credited in early accounts, macgillivrayi, capillacea,
chordata and cantori. The two first-named are undoubtedly native, but
the third was described as from New Zealand, collected by Strange, with a
variety from Lord Howe Island. The description shows this to be the New
South Wales species, collected by Strange, and simultaneously described by
304 THE LAND MOLLUSCA OF LORD HOWE ISLAND.
Benson and A. Adams, and nothing much like this occurs on the island.
The fourth was named as from Lord Howe Island, New Hebrides, and the
description is of a small shell, 2mm. by 1 mm., with an acute apex, which no
local shell possesses, so that it must be looked for at the other Lord Howe
Island.
The Norfolk Island forms may be here diagnosed as PaLmaTiIna, gen.
nov. Shell small, up to 3.5 mm., elongate, apex a little elevated, sinistral,
sculpture of erect sharp longitudinal lamellae, last whorl completely rounded,
aperture circular, almost free, mouth duplicate, operculum circular, large,
filling mouth. Type, D. cozi, H. Adams.
The Lord Howe Island species can be separated into three size groups,
large, medium and small to minute. While there may not be any
additions to the two first groups, many may be added in the last. The
species appear to occur in local colonies, and also restricted in range, so
that a great deal of study is still necessary.
PALAINA MACGILLIVRAYI, Pfeiffer.
(Plate xviii., fig. 16.)
Diplommatina macgillivrayi Pfeiffer, Proc. Zool. Soc. (Lond.), 1854, p. 303,
May 8, 1855. Lord Howe Island.
Described as measuring 6 mm. by 3 mm., with six whorls, including
two apex, the next two distantly costulate, the penultimate very broad,
closely costulate, the last whorl very closely costulate. This is a good
description of the common Lowlands form. On account of the longi-
tudinal sculpture varying on the whorls, I am giving the number of ribs
seen in front view as illustrated, for easy determination. Coloration pink
and cream, the latter showing as a band on last whorl. Shell turreted,
imperforate, swollen medially, mouth a little irregular, the left side showing
a blunt corner, whorls convex, sutures deep, the apex consisting of one and
a half whorls smooth, sometimes faintly radially striate, the first adult
whorl showing on the face nine lirae, with longitudinal threads between,
next whorl twelve, the next fifteen, the last twenty. The juvenile openly
perforate, conical, showing spiral concentric striae on the early whorls.
A distinct form is named
P. MACGILLIVRAYI SEMILEVIS, subsp. nov.
This may later be determined as specifically separable as in certain
localities it only occurs, and when found mixed with the preceding a size-
differentiation appears. The specimen figured and described, plate xviii.,
fig. 12, is from North Bay, whence a uniform series was sent.
Shell large, of same form as the type, but whorls less convex and
sutures shallow; the distant lirae of the early whorls disappear on the later
whorls, which are very finely striate only. Using the formula above noted,
the first whorl and half smooth, the next nine lirae, succeeding nine, the
penultimate seven stronger, twenty weak threads, with the last about forty-
five.
Common also on the North Ridge, Boat Harbour, and the foot of Mt.
Gower.
From the heights of Mt. Gower another form is named
IREDALE. 305
P. MACGILLIVRAYI PUSILLIOR, subsp. nov.
This is figured (pl. xviii., fig. 17), and again may prove a distinct species.
It is smaller, measuring 4 mm. by 2.5 mm., with more regular, coarser
sculpture, whorls convex, sutures deep, not so swollen as the type, the apical
one and a half smooth, next ten, third twelve, fourth twelve and last with
seven lirae, then twelve fine threads in depression, and five lirae. It may
be pointed out that the back of the last whorl shows a succession of close
regular fine lirae.
PALAINA CAPILLACEA, Pfeiffer.
(Plate xviii., fig. 8.)
Diplommatina capillacea Pfeiffer, Proc. oO: Soc. (Lond.), 1854, p. 303, May
8, 1855. Lord Howe Island.
This was described as 5 mm. by 2-2/3rd mm., “capillaceo-striata.”
The Lowland shell answering to this description is differently built
from the preceding, the whorls increasing more regularly, with no medial
swelling. Shell creamy white, rarely pink, turreted, whorls convex, sutures
deep, apex of one and a half whorls, dome-shaped, smooth, first adult
whorl showing rather ‘distant threads, twelve in number, next with
eighteen, third with twenty-two, the last showing nine, the depression very
finely threaded, with twelve on right side. The specimen figured is an
immature from “Near the Pines, under sticks on ground,” but in the adult
the mouth is thickened and subcircular.
A series from Goat Island is composed of smaller shells with more
numerous but still distinct threads, and may be named
P. CAPILLACEA DEFINITA, Swbsp. nov.
The figured type shell (plate xix, fig. 3) measures 4 mm. by 2 mm., and
the first whorl and a half are smooth, a little elevated, the first adult whorl
showing fifteen threads, the next twenty-one, the next thirty, the last nine,
medially too fine to count easily, right side half a dozen.
This is the first mention in this essay of Goat (or Rabbit) Island as a
locality providing local differentiation, but it has a long history, though it
is a mere rocky islet on the reef edge of the lagoon. Yet from it has been
described Placostylus cuniculinsulae Cox, Nanina sophiae var. conica Hedley,
and Helix catletti Brazier, all of which will be treated later.
PALAINA LEVICOSTULATA, Sp. NOV.
(Plate xviii., fig. 13.)
Recalling capillacea in form, but with the whorls less convex and the
sutures shallow, the sculpture is completely reduced to a threading so fine
that the threads are not worth counting. The apex is very finely radially
striate, and the type from the North Ridges measures 5 mm. by 2.5 mm.
It is perhaps the second commonest Lowland form, and, while the adult is
usually white, the immature is horny in appearance, and does not show
the open perforation of macgillivrayi, though still perforate. This com-
pletes the series of larger shells.
PALAINA NICHOLSAE, sp. nov.
(Plate xviii., fig. 9.)
Shell smaller, more regular in form, whorls convex, sutures deep, some-
306 THE LAND MOLLUSCA OF LORD HOWE ISLAND.
with the first whorl and a half dome-shaped smooth, next whorl, first
what regular lirate throughout. The type measures 3.5 mm. by 1.75 mm.,
adult, broad with fifteen lirae, next two eighteen to twenty each, last 8 on
left, twelve finer in depression, and eight on right, the mouth more circular.
Common on the Lowlands, Old Settlement, North Ridge, and also Boat
Harbour.
This is probably the form recorded under chordata.
PALAINA HOWEINSULAE, Sp. Nov.
(Plate xviii., fig. 10.)
Shell a little larger than the preceding, bulkier in build and with
coarser sculpture, mouth larger, less rounded, measuring 4 mm. by 2.25 mm.
The first whorl and a half are smooth, forming the dome-shaped apex; next
whorl broad but shallow in depth with nine lirae; next ten, third twelve,
last with sixteen finer but distinct on depression. Equally common on the
Lowlands with the preceding.
PALAINA WATERHOUSEI, sp. NOV.
(Plate xviii., fig. 11.)
Smaller and pure white, whorls convex, sutures deep, measuring 3 mm.
by 1.5 mm. The apex of one and a half whorls, smooth, is very small,
almost immersed in the first adult whorl, which is broad, with nine distant
lirae between which fine concentric striae can be distinguished; the next
whorl has also nine or ten, third with twelve, the last showing twenty finer
lirae, the concentric striae being now obsolete, mouth circular.
Near the Pines under sticks, also North Ridge and Boat Harbour. May
be widely distributed, but not easily collected on account of small size,
which remark applies to all the smallest forms.
PALAINA EDWARDI, Sp. NOV.
(Plate xviii., fig. 14.)
This is a shell of the same size, 3 mm. by 1.5 mm., from Mount Lidgbird,
a little different from the preceding in form with coarser sculpture. The
smooth apical whorls are not immersed, and the first adult whorl shows
only five lirae with concentric striae between, the next only seven, the third
ten, and the last fifteen, the mouth circular. A similar looking shell
measuring 2.75 mm. by 1.5 mm. shows the same number of lirae on the
first two adult whorls, but one or two fewer on the third whorl and more
on the last, three or four on the left side, ten finer medial ones, and four
or five dextrally. This comes from Boat Harbour, and may be called P. reta
nov.; it may be a subspecies of a widely spread form, or it may be a distinct
species.
PALAINA DELICIOSA, Sp. Nov.
(Plate xviii., fig. 15.)
Shell minute, white, whorls very convex, sutures very deep. The first
whorl and a half are dome-shaped, smooth, the first adult whorl very
swollen, deep, with twelve weak riblets, next even more swollen with fifteen
distant riblets, the interstices concentrically striate, the last five, median
depression practically smooth, then five more riblets on the right, mouth
circular. Length, 1.5 mm.; breadth, 1 mm.
From near the top of Mt. Lidgbird.
IREDALE. 307
PALAINA PADDA, Sp. NOV.
(Plate xix., fig. 1.)
Shell minute, white, whorls slightly convex, sutures deep. Apical whorl
and a half, smooth elevated, first adult twenty close lirae, next twelve more
distant, last six lirae, then smoothish depression and five dextral lirae.
Mouth circular, spreading on face of body whorl, back of which is regularly
lirate. Length, 2 mm.; breadth, 1.1 mm.
From North Ridge.
PALAINA LUCIA, Sp. nov.
(Plate xix., fig. 2.)
Shell small, red with white band, coloration of largest species, but more
regular in form. Apical whorl and a half dome-shaped, smooth, first adult
whorl with heavy distant ribs longitudinally, about seven in number on
face, next with same number, third with ten, last with six, ten, fine on
medial depression, then four dextrally, mouth small, circular, appressed.
Length, 3 mm.; breadth, 1.75 mm.
From top of Mt. Gower.
PALAINA EMBRA, Sp. NOV.
(Plate xix., fig. 4.)
Shell minute, white, regular in form, finely sculptured. Apical whorl
and a half, dome-shaped, smooth, next three swollen of about same width.
On face of first adult whorl, twelve to fourteen ribs may be counted, next
eighteen to twenty, last five or six, smoothish medial depression, then
dextrally half a dozen, mouth small, circular, appressed to body of preceding
whorl.
Length, 1.5 mm.; breadth, .75 mm.
From top of Mt. Gower.
Subclass PULMONATA.
Order STYLOMMATOPHORA.
Family ELASMATINIDAE. ‘
Genus Evasmzias, Pilsbry.
Elasmias Pilsbry, Nautilus, Vol. xxili., p. 122, March, 1910.
Orthotype, Tornatellina aperta, Pease.
ELASMIAS SCHOLA, sp. nOv.
(Plate xvili., fig. 5.)
Hedley misidentified this species as Brazier’s Tornatellina inconspicua,
and determined my Kermadec Island specimens as identical, and I used
the name in my report. I sent my shells with my notes to Pilsbry, who
was monographing the family. Pilsbry introduced the generic name, and
admitted many species, including as Polynesian,
E. ovatum Anton. Opara = Austral Group. Size, 34 mm. by 25 mm.
E. ovatum apertum Pease. Tahiti. Size, 34 mm. by 25 mm.
Thereunder he ranked the Kermadec shells, without differentiation,
figuring a specimen, 4.5 mm. by 2.6 mm. on pl. 30, figs. 4-5.
E. peaseanum Garrett. Society Islands. Size, 5 mm. by 23 mm.
308 THE LAND MOLLUSCA OF LORD HOWE ISLAND.
From Australia, New Guinea and New Caledonia Pilsbry catalogued
E. wakefieldae Cox. Clarence River, N.S.W. Size, 2.5 mm. by 2.1 mm.
E. mariei Crosse. New Caledonia. Size, 2.5 mm. by 2 mm.
Obviously the Kermadec shell should have been named, as it was larger
and differently shaped, so it is here called E. connisum, sp. nov.
The Lord Howe Island specimens are large, measuring 3.5 mm. by 2.75
mm., not as large as the Kermadec species, but much larger than the New
Caledonian E. mariei, which seems juvenile, but the juvenile of the Lord
Howe Island species of the same height, 2.5 mm., is broader, with a weaker
parietal and more acute columellar teeth. The shell is horny in coloration.
On Lord Howe Island specimens were only found on leaves of trees near the
school-house, and at the Kermadecs the genus was only found on Kawa
(Pepper) plants near a deserted cultivation. As it seems to be found in
similar situations throughout its range, this fact suggests that it is a
vagrant.
Genus TORNELASMIAS, 7ov.
Type, T. capricorni, nov.
The genus Tornatellinops was introduced for elongate species with a
sinuate columella, but bearing no columellar tooth at any stage of growth.
The Lord Howe Island species are very similar in the adult stage, but the
juveniles show columellar teeth. This would place them nearer Elasmatina,
but they cannot be placed under that genus.
TORNELASMIAS CAPRICORNI, Sp. Nov.
(Plate xviii., figs. 6, 6a.)
Shell elongate, very small, imperforate, whorls slightly convex, sutures
little impressed, mouth small, outer lip thin, columella twisted, coloration
brown. Whorls five and a half, the apex a little conical, sculpture of radial
growth lines only. The very juvenile figured (fig. 6a) shows a columellar
tooth.
Length of adult, 4 mm.; breadth, 1.5 mm.
Goat (or Rabbit) Island.
TORNELASMIAS INCONSPICUUM, Brazier.
(Plate xviii., fig. 7.)
Tornatellina inconspicua Brazier, Proc. Zool. Soc. (Lond.), 1872, p. 619,
November 3. Lord Howe Island (Coll. Australian Museum, collected by
G. Masters).
The original description was copied by Pilsbry and placed under Torna-
tellinops, with reservation, as the type was destroyed and the juvenile
stages unknown. Length, 1 line by 3 line; aperture: length, } line.
Bell collected a series from crevices of wood near the Pines on the Low-
lands, and this is regarded as the lost species and figured as such. It agrees
in dimensions and juveniles show a columellar tooth.
TORNELASMIAS LIDGBIRDENSE, Sp. 20V.
(Plate xviii., fig. 4.)
Shell imperforate, comparatively broader than the Lowland forms, and
the juveniles show the columellar tooth to a later stage more noticeably.
The whorls are five, the apex more sharply dome-shaped, the whorls more
IREDALE. 309
convex, sutures deeper than in preceding. The parietal is much more
prominent, and the twisted columella shows a duplex toothing at some
stages, which is puzzling at first. The type measures 3.25 mm. by 1.75 mm.,
but larger specimens occur at some places. Collected on the Black Face of
Mount Lidgbird, and elsewhere in the heights.
Family PLACOSTYLIDAE.
Genus PLACOSTYLUS.
Placostylus Beck, Index Mollus, p. 57, 1837. Haplotype, P. bootis, Menke.
Based on a New Caledonian shell, this genus and family is well deve-
loped in that island, but the Lord Howe Island species, first-named, is very
like the type of the genus in detail. Three forms have been named and,
had they come from different places, they might have been placed in
different genera so unlike at first sight they appear.
PLACOSTYLUS BIVARICOSUS, Gaskoin.
Bulimus bivaricosus Gaskion, Proc. Zool. Soc. (Lond.), 1854, p. 152, Moll.,
pl. xxix., figs. 4-5, April 11, 1855. Lord Howe Island.
This fine shell, apparently collected by J. Macgillivray, measured
2-3/10th in. by 1 in., reddish in colour, with a heavy lipped mouth. Later,
a small form with a thin lipped mouth, measuring 1.65 in. by .75 in. from
Rabbit (or Goat) Island, was named as a distinct species, cuniculinsulae.
The Museum Expedition of 1887 collected specimens, including subfossils,
and Etheridge named the latter as var. solida, but a very large form, with a
thin lip, was figured on plate v., figs. 1, 2, 7, 8, under the name Bulimus
(Eurytus) etheridgei Brazier. This was not mentioned in the text. The
figures measure 65-70 mm. by 27-29 mm., and show the outer lip thin and
the inner lip only slightly thickened.
Hedley gives its coloration as “nearly black,” and its locality ‘under the
wall of Mt. Lidgbird,” reducing it to a variety only of the typical bivaricosus
of which he gave the radula formula as 127 x 35.22.1.22.35.
The variation in this group is worthy of study, but there is the new
difficulty of recent years, the destruction effected by the rat plague, written
up by Hindwood. At the present time the various forms may be less visible
in the field than in Roy Bell’s time, when he indicated no less than six
different colonies, separable in the field. The most spectacular was the
large form found on the Little Slope of Mt. Gower, which was named royi,
but which is very close to etheridgei, apparently from the saddle of Mt.
Lidgbird. This (royi) ranges larger than etheridgei, 80 mm. by 40 mm.,
against etheridgei’s 65 mm. by 27 mm., and differs in the red-brown
coloration, the thickened lips, and the locality, Little Slope of Mt. Gower.
Apparently the colonies breed true, and the immature are separable, accord-
ing to Roy Bell’s account and series, which he forwarded.
A small form from the mainland recalling cuniculinsulae, but with a
thickened mouth, the dead equivalent of solida, was named belli, as the
specimen measures 56 mm. by 23 mm., the apex large, dead shell white, no
ripple markings, only rough growth lines, mouth thickened, outer lip show-
ing weak posterior notch and deep anterior sub-channel, columella twist
strong, inner lip heavily callused. Although Pilsbry wrote for the type of
Placostylus, “embryonic whorls thimble punctate,” this is not so in this
group, as the juvenile consists of three whorls, wrinkly striate sculpture,
310 THE LAND MOLLUSCA OF LORD HOWE ISLAND.
with columella folded. The apex of the N.Z. shongii has fine lines regularly,
not wrinkly, striate.
PLACOSTYLUS CUNICULINSULAE, Cox.
Bulimus (Placostylus) cuniculinsulae Cox, Proc. Zool. Soc. (Lond.), 1872, p.
19, pl. iv., fig. 3, June. Rabbit Island, near Lord Howe Island.
The name was written cuniculoides, in the Museum Report (a curious
slip) .
This slight shell measured 42 mm. by 20 mm., and the mouth is not
thickened at all, a somewhat remarkable evolution.
Family PARALAOMIDAE.
The minute shells belonging to this family appear to be widely spread
throughout Australia, and many species are here introduced from Lord
Howe Island, some very like the Kermadec typical species. While most are
referable to the original Paralaoma type, some differ in form and sculpture,
and these have been referred to Allenella, a genus defined hereafter.
Genus ParaLaoma, Iredale.
Paralaoma Iredale, Proc. Mal. Soc. (Lond.), Vol. x., p. 380, September, 1913.
Haplotype, Paralaoma raoulensis, Iredale.
PARALAOMA ROYI, Sp. NOV.
(Plate xix., fig. 7.)
Shell minute, depressedly turbinate, spire a little elevated, whorls few,
rounded, sutures impressed, widely umbilicate, mouth subcircular, lip thin,
columella slightly reflected. Coloration pale brown. Apex one and a half
whorls, smooth. Sculpture of dense fine riblets, distinct. Breadth, 1.5 by
.75 mm. From near the Pines on the Lowlands. Some shells go larger,
reaching 2 by 1.25 mm., the last whorl descending a little.
PARALAOMA INNESI. Sp. NOV.
(Plate xix., fig. 11.)
Shell minute, depressedly turbinate, whorls rounded, sutures deep, widely
umbilicate, columella straight, mouth squarish, lip thin. Coloration dark
fawn. Apex of one and a half whorls, smooth. Sculpture of fine distinct
radials very closely packed. Umbilicus wide, but narrower than in preced-
ing, which occupies about one-third of the breadth of the whorl, and this
only one-fifth. Breadth, 1.75 mm.; height, .75 mm. Heights of Mt.
Lidgbird.
PARALAOMA COMPAR, SD. 70U.
(Plate xix., fig. 13.)
Shell small, depressedly turbinate, whorls rounded, sutures deep, um-
bilicus broad, columella slanting, reflected, mouth roundish. Coloration
blackish brown. Apex large, smoothish. Sculpture of strong radials with
fine concentric striae between, the latter more noticeable on the base. Um-
bilicus wide, about one-fifth the width of the base, which is rounded.
Breadth, 2.5 mm.; height, 1 mm. Heights of Mt. Lidgbird.
The same, or an allied form, also occurs on the top of Mt. Gower.
PARALAOMA GOWERI, Sp. NOV.
Shell minute, depressedly turbinate, whorls rounded, sutures impressed,
IREDALE. 311
spire a little elevated, umbilicus broad, columella slanting, reflected, mouth
large, rounded, as high as broad, lip thin. Coloration brown. Apex large,
smooth. Sculpture of fine radial threads, close together but distinct, a very
slight concentric striation seen on the base. Umbilicus broad, but only
about one-fifth of the breadth of the shell. Breadth, 1.75 mm.; height, 1
mm. Mt. Gower on the heights.
PARALAOMA LIDGBIRDENSIS, Sp. Nov.
(Plate xix., fig. 12.)
Shell minute, depressedly turbinate, spire a little elevated, whorls
rounded, sutures well marked, periphery lightly keeled, columella a little
sloping, reflected, mouth broader than high, lip thin, umbilicus very small.
Coloration pale fawn. Apex large, smooth. Sculpture of very fine radials,
separate and distinct, with a still finer interstitial concentric striation,
better seen on the base. Breadth, 1.75 mm.; height, .75 mm. Mt. Lidgbird,
near the top.
This minute species is not a typical Paralaoma, neither is it an Allenella,
as the apex is smooth, and the umbilicus is even smaller, while the sculp-
ture recalls that of Paralaoma, a new subgenus, Semilaoma, with P. abjecta
Iredale, as type, is therefore introduced.
PARALAOMA ABJECTA, Sp. NOV.
(Plate xix., fig. 10.)
Very like the preceding in most details, the sculpture finer, no con-
centric striation notable, spire a little more elevated, mouth a little more
rounded, scarcely any broader than high, the keel more pronounced, espec-
ially on the earlier whorls. Coloration pale greenish. Breadth, 1.5 mm.;
height, .75 mm. Type from Transit Hill. A large series from near the
Pines.
Genus ALLENELLA, 70Uv.
Type, A. formalis, nov.
Distinctive in form, more conical than preceding, with different sculp-
ture, small umbilicus, and apical whorls spirally striate.
This may not be accurately referable to this family, and I was inclined
to suggest that anatomical investigation would settle the matter, but after
study of many anatomical papers, I am fain to deny that they can help
much when they have no assistance from shell characters.
ALLENELLA FORMALIS, Sp. OU.
(Plate xix., fig. 9.)
Shell small, conico-turbinate, spire elevated, whorls only slightly
rounded, sutures lightly impressed, periphery keeled, base rounded, um-
bilicus small, deep, mouth large, subcircular, lip thin, columella straight,
reflected. Coloration rich brown. Apex of one and a half whorls spirally
striate. Sculpture of very fine, microscopic, radial striae faintly decussate
by concentric microstriation, these more prominent on the base, the radials
there obsolete. Umbilicus small, about one-seventh diameter of base.
Height, 2.75 mm.; breadth, 3.5 mm. Heights of Mt. Lidgbird.
A specimen from Mutton Bird Point, on the Lowlands, measures 3.25
in breadth by 2.5 mm. in height, and is more finely sculptured above and
312 THE LAND MOLLUSCA OF LORD HOWE ISLAND.
more notably concentrically striate below, representing a new subspecies,
A. f. planorum, subsp. nov.
ALLENELLA BELLI, Sp. Ov.
(Plate xix., fig. 5.)
Shell small, depressedly turbinate, spire little elevated, whorls rounded,
sutures deep, periphery rounded, umbilicus small deep, mouth large, high
as broad, columella reflected. Coloration dark brown. Apex of one and a
half whorls, spirally striate. Sculpture of very fine radial striae, the
decussation scarcely notable, though present, and the radials continue on
to the base, with the concentric striae still more obsolete. Breadth, 2.5
mm.; height, 1 mm. Heights of Mt. Gower.
A larger form, 3.25 mm. by 1.5 mm., from the heights of Mt. Lidgbird,
is more elevated, subkeeled, sculpture of radials stronger, more pronounced
on the base, and may be called A. b. extra subsp. nov., and is figured, pl. xix.,
fig. 6.
Family PSEUDOCHAROPIDAE.
An extraordinary development of beautiful small shells is indicated by
this family name. When the first members were discovered they were
introduced under Helix, but were figured as Helix (Rhytida). This indicates
the Rhytidoid appearance. When Hedley examined the animals he trans-
ferred them to Patula, the name then used for “Endodonts” in the widest
sense. Obviously they have little real relationship with true “Endodonts,”
and I was thinking of allotting them to the Flammulinidae, which they
slightly resemble. The type, Flammulina, is however just as different, so
that to save further confusion the above name is utilised.
Shells more or less loosely coiled, whorls few, last very large, sculpture
of apex radials, adult sculpture radial ribs, mouth transverse, large. The
typical Pseudocharopa agrees least with the general description given. An
intricate maze of illustration, definition ai.d nomination surrounds the
Species, and the history must be given.
The first account is by Etheridge (p. 26): “On the eastern flanks and
spurs of Mount Lidgbird we collected a small Helix, at a height of 800-900
ft., which Mr. Brazier proposes to call Helix Lidgbirdi. It is a pretty little
turreted and variegated shell, and may be found crawling on the basaltic
boulders and blocks strewn over the flanks of this inaccessible hill, but in
dry weather it takes refuge in the large vesicular cavities of the basalt.” A
couple of paragraphs later, the text reads: “The humid gullies and moist
hill flanks, running from the North Ridge to the Old Settlement, afforded
a prolific hunting ground. There, amid loam, decaying wood, and under
stones, were obtained numbers of small Helices, which Mr. Brazier pro-
poses to designate H. Whiteleggei; a very finely but regularly transversely
striated species, H. Balli, a rare form.”
Such is the introduction of the names, and at this place H. lidgbirdi is
a recognisable form, H. whiteleggei is a nomen nudum, and H. balli may be
later determined. Now to complicate matters plates were included pur-
porting to give illustrations of these species, and unfortunately the crude
lithographic attempts were reversed.
Plate iv., figs. 19, 20, are named Helix (Rhytida) Lidgbirdi Brazier, and
these show the upper and underside only, of a striated unicolor shell,
IREDALE. 313
measuring 18 mm. across. These obviously do not refer to the shell above
described.
Plate iv., figs. 23, 24, 25, named Helix (Rhytida) Whiteleggei Brazier, are
of a large variegated shell, an elevated spire, marked radial striae, small
umbilicus, rounded mouth, not entire, shell measuring 11 mm. by 7 mm.
The shell so named to-day has a flattened spire not much like this figure.
Plate iv., figs. 13, 14, 26, named Helix (Rhytida) Balli Brazier. This is
a smaller shell with a higher spire, coarser sculpture, free mouth, unicolor,
measuring 8.5 mm. by 6 mm. These figures are nothing like the shell so-
called to-day, but agree better in form, but not in colour, with the descrip-
tion of lidgbirdi. It should be noted that the locality given for the last
two is the North Ridge. F
Hedley a little later wrote up the Museum Expedition material, using
Brazier’s names, with the generic name Patula, and giving descriptions, but
did not offer further illustrations. Unskilled in conchological work at that
date, being more interested in anatomical details, Hedley reduced the three
species to one, selecting the name whiteleggei, and recording the others,
balli and lidgbirdi, as varieties only. The localities were amended (?) to
“Summit of Mount Lidgbird” for whiteleggei and balli, and “western” flanks
of the same mountain for lidgbirdi. The members of the Expedition did
not reach the summit of Mt. Lidgbird, only attaining the low saddle, while
“eastern” not “western” flanks were given for lidgbirdi. Then, whiteleggei
is described as chestnut painted with zigzag flames, measuring 16 mm. by 6
mm., balli, no colour given, 11 mm. by 6 mm., and lidgbirdi, no colour given,
globosely conoid, spire elevated, aperture subcircular, measuring 8 mm. by
6 mm.
The following year Pilsbry copied the figures, reversing them, so that
they showed correctly, but added a new figure from a specimen, sent by Dr.
Cox, of whiteleggei.
Some years ago Peile examined the material at the British Museum,
and made comments which are not of much value, as he was more in-
terested in radulae than in shells. He accepted the names as of Hedley,
and added a fourth species, ex Preston MS., and proposed the new generic
name, Pseudocharopa, with lidgbirdi Hedley, as type, rejecting Preston’s
Howeinsulea (sic), and nominating lidgbirdi as its type (which was not
Preston’s idea at all).
After discussing vaguely some Lord Howe Island shells, Peile wrote: “I
propose for some of these forms the name Pseudocharopa gen. nov., in
which the shells are perforate with rapidly increasing whorls sculptured
with more or less prominent radial costae with fine radial striae in the
intervals. Species: lidgbirdi Hedley, genotype (pl. XVIIB, fig. 1); balli
Hedley (pl. XVIIB, fig. 2); whiteleggei Hedley, and exquisita described
below.” From a superficial examination of the radulae Peile suggested
Monomphalus, a very unlike New Caledonian shell, as perhaps related, and
apparently he would include “Endodonta’ waterhousiae Hedley, in the
medley. He wrote: “The apical sculpture of these shells requires investi-
gation. Monomphalus has very minute spirals on the first whorl, so has E.
waterhousiae, fide Hedley. I have been unable to find spirals in specimens
available of other species, probably because of erosion.”
What is meant by “other species” is problematical. He explained: “I
have examined radulae of balli and lidgbirdi, and find them in good agree-
314 THE LAND MOLLUSCA OF LORD HOWE ISLAND.
ment with Hedley’s figure of whiteleggei. The formula of the former is
PA ll PATS”
Then he figured the radula of exquisita with formula 21.1.21.
We are now confronted with the usage of the names already proposed,
and there are four distinct series, and it is now impossible to determine
exactly all the shells mentioned in Etheridge’s report. H. lidgbirdi is the
only one that can be exactly determined, as a shell answering to the
description is common at the locality indicated. However, the illustrations
in the Report under this name are not referable, the figures allotted to
balli having been drawn from specimens of lidgbirdi, and Hedley’s descrip-
tion also applies.
H. whiteleggei, fully described by Hedley and figured by Pilsbry, is the
well-known whiteleggei, but it does not agree with the figures in the
Museum Report, which however are crude, but Etheridge did not describe it.
Then Hedley’s locality is quite wrong, and Etheridge’s should be right.
As to H. balli, this seems quite indeterminable from Etheridge’s account
and figures, and Hedley’s reference again to the “Summit of Mt. Lidgbird”
does not help matters, so this name should be discarded entirely. It may
be noted that Peile’s figure, named balli, is of a shell from the mountain
heights, the top of Mt. Gower, which the Museum Expedition did not reach,
and was named imperator. More collecting must be done to find out if
“whiteleggei”’ and “ballz” exist on the North Ridge. The above recapitu-
lation is necessary, but whether it will be studied by extralimital workers is
very doubtful, as most recent incursions into Australian conchology by such
have been notable for their lack of contemporary local literature.
Genus PsEupocHaropa, Peile.
Pseudocharopa Peile, Proc. Mal. Soc. (Lond.), Vol. xviii., p. 267, November
15, 1929. Orthotype, Helix lidgbirdi, Hedley.
Howeinsulea Peile, ibid., same type, ex Preston MS.
As introduced by Peile for “some species” naming four, with “lidgbirdi
Hedley” designated as type, it was based on radular characters, shell char-
acters being subordinate, yet he did not give any details of the radula of
the selected type. His grouping was very general as each species differs.
The type, lidgbirdi, as here accepted is the smallest of the series he
named, the most elevated, the whorls most convex and the mouth almost
circular and free. The radula formula was not given.
The largest species, figured as whiteleggei by Pilsbry, has the spire
flattened, the whorls little convex showing a slight depression above the
periphery, the mouth very large and oval, broader than high and quite
discontinuous. The radula formula was given by Hedley as 150 x
21.10.1.10.21. Obviously this does not agree completely with the preceding,
and the subgeneric name Deceptrena is introduced, with editior infra as
type.
Next in size is the species figured by Peile as “balli,’ but which was
named imperator from the top of Mt. Gower. The spire is convex, the
whorls flattened, showing no anteperipheral depression, the mouth large,
less expanded than the preceding, deeper, discontinuous, sculpture finer,
with radula formula according to Peile of 27.1.27, but no details given, and
represents another subgenus, Ballena, nov., with imperator as type.
IREDALE. 315
All the preceding are more or less loosely coiled, showing an open
umbilicus, with the apex smooth to radially striate and radial costae more
or less strong. The fourth, named exrquisita by Peile, is very different, and
is separated generically as Lidgbirdia, gen. nov. The shell is smaller than
the previous two, whorls a little convex, spire a little elevated, sculpture
very strong of distant radials, weaker threads between, a deep ante-
peripheral depression, the mouth large, the umbilicus practically missing,
being minute and concealed at every stage of growth. The radula formula,
according to Peile, is 21.1.21, a crude figure being given.
PSEUDOCHAROPA LIDGBIRDI, Etheridge.
Heliz lidgbirdi Etheridge, Aust. Mus. Mem. No. 2, p. 26, May 1, 1889, ex
Brazier MS. Eastern flanks of Mt. Lidgbird, 800-900 ft. Not pl. iv.,
figs. 19, 20, but probably figs. 13, 14, 26, under name H. balli.
Patula whiteleggei var. lidgbirdi Hedley, Rec. Austr. Mus., Vol. i., p. 139, June
30, 1891. ‘‘The western flanks of Mt. Lidgbird.”
Pseudocharopa lidgbirdi Peile, Proc. Mal. Soc. (Lond.), Vol. xviii., p. 267, pl.
XVii.B., fig. 3, November 15, 1929. Lord Howe Island.
Shell small, elevated, loosely coiled, whorls very convex, sutures deep,
mouth almost circular, almost free, widely umbilicate. Coloration dull grey,
flame-marked with brown. The apex is elevated, one and a quarter whorls,
the first whorl practically smooth, developing radials, which are more
definite on the succeeding quarter, where a slight varix separates the
protoconch from the adult whorls. The sculpture on these consists of
distant radial ribs; the interstices longitudinally striate, twenty-five on first
whorl, and only slightly packing up towards aperture. Breadth, 8 mm.;
height, 6 mm. On the face of Mt. Lidgbird, 800 ft.
On the top of Mt. Gower a larger representative occurs, which is called
gowerensis, measuring 10 mm. in breadth by 7.5 mm. in height, which is
figured (Plate xx., fig. 11). In this the sculpture becomes finer, but never
as fine as the succeeding imperator, and retains the almost free mouth and
the dull coloration.
PSEUDOCHAROPA WHITELEGGEI, Brazier.
Helix whiteleggei Etheridge, Austr. Mus. Mem. No. 2, p. 26, May 1, 1889, ex
Brazier MS. Nomen nudum. North Ridge.
Helix (Rhytida) whiteleggei Brazier, ibid., pl. iv., figs. 23, 24, 25. No exact
locality given.
Patula whiteleggei Hedley, Rec. Austr. Mus., Vol. i., p. 138, pl. xxi., fig. 6
(jaw), pl. xxii., fig. 1 (radula), June 30, 1891. Summit of Mt. Lidgbird.
Patula whiteleggei Pilsbry, Man. Monch. (Tryon), Ser. 2, Vol. viii., p. 106,
pl. 19, figs. 53, 55, 1892. (Original from Cox specimen.) Lord Howe
Island.
Hedley’s excellent description and Pilsbry’s figure would fix this species,
though Hedley’s “Summit of Mt. Lidgbird’” was quite erroneous.
Shell largest of the series, flattened, spire depressed, whorls little
convex, last whorl showing a slight anteperipheral depression, sutures im-
pressed, last whorl disproportionally large, scarcely descending, mouth
irregularly transversely oval, lip thin, columella a little expanded, connected
by very slight glaze across body whorl, but mouth quite discontinuous.
316 THE LAND MOLLUSCA OF LORD HOWE ISLAND.
Coloration, dull greyish with broad dark red brown flames, which soon
merge so that the appearance becomes a uniform dull brown with the early
whorl only bicolour. Protoconch very similar in every detail to that of the
preceding; the adult sculpture consists of radial ribs a little distant on
first whorl about thirty in number, interstices radially striate, last whorl
completely closely radially striate. Umbilicus open but narrow. Breadth,
16 mm.; height, 6 mm.
Ranges from a few hundred feet up Mt. Lidgbird to top, and probably
elsewhere at similar heights. Shells from the top of Mt. Gower do not
seem to reach the same dimensions, measuring 13 mm. by 6 mm. In view
of the extraordinary confusion about the name and locality, this is here
named editior nov., and figured. (Plate xx., fig. 1.)
PSEUDOCHAROPA IMPERATOR, Sp. 70V.
(Plate xx., fig. 4.)
? Patula whiteleggei var. balli Hedley, Rec. Austr. Mus., Vol. i., p. 139, June
30, 1891. Summit of Mt. Lidgbird (erroneously). Not Helix balli
Etheridge, Aust. Mus. Mem. No. 2, p. 26, May 1, 1889, ex Brazier MS.
North Ridge. Indeterminate. Not Helix (Rhytida) balli Brazier, ibid.,
pl. iv., figs. 13, 14, 26, which are lidgbirdi, probably figs. 19, 20 (lidgbirdi) ,
which are unrecognisable.
Pseudocharopa balli Peile, Proc. Mal. Soc. (Lond.), Vol. xviii., p. 267, pl.
Xvii.B., fig. 2.
This beautiful species is more brightly coloured than any of the others.
Shell a little smaller than the preceding, but spire a little elevated, whorls
little convex, sutures impressed, last whorl large, descending, three whorls,
outer lip thin, mouth large, discontinuous, oval, a little broader than high,
columella straight, a little expanded, umbilicus narrow, open. Protoconch
similar to that of the preceding, adult sculpture of fine thread-like radials
continuing throughout the same strength to the aperture. Coloration
yellowish flamed with bright red, shell seeming more liable to erosion than
preceding. Breadth, 13 mm.; height, 9 mm. From the top of Mt. Gower.
In this case specimens from the top of Mt. Lidgbird are smaller, 10.5 by
6 mm., and may be called P. i. monta, subsp. nov.
Genus LIDGBIRDIA, 700.
Type, Pseudocharopa exquisita, Peile.
Shell differing at sight from any of the preceding members of the
family in its form, sculpture and lack of open umbilicus. The intriguing
feature of the shell is the medial depression in the upper whorls, while the
closing of the umbilicus is characteristic, combined with the strong sculp-
ture continuous to the edge of the mouth.
LIDGBIRDIA EXQUISITA, Peile.
Pseudocharopa exquisita Peile, Proc. Mal. Soc. (Lond.), Vol. xviii., p. 267, pl.
XVii.B., fig. 3, November 15, 1929. Near summit of Mt. Lidgbird, on wet
rock faces, Lord Howe Island.
Shell small, depressedly turbinate, whorls convex with a medial de-
pression, sculpture of strong distant radial with fine radials between, mouth
very large, lip thin, columella slanting, reflected, concealing the minute
umbilicus. Coloration dull yellowish grey, flamed regularly with broad zig-
IREDALE. 317
zag reddish brown flames. Apical whorls smooth, variced, first adult with
16-18 evenly spaced ribs, last whorl with about twenty-five.
Genus MystTivacor, nov.
Type, ? Simpulopsis mastersi, Brazier.
This strange little shell is mysterious enough, but not sufficient to allow
it to remain under Simpulopsis Beck, an unlike shell from a very remote
locality.
It is very small and, as the animal is unknown, it is not certain where
it should be located. From shell characters it may be a bulimoid ally of
(say) Pseudocharopa, and may be living on trees.
Shell small, bulimoid, imperforate, three whorled, last very large, apical
whorl finely radially striate, next radially distantly ribbed, third practically
smooth. Coloration dull yellowish closely flamed with narrow brown zig-
zag flames. Mouth large, oval, much higher than broad, lip thin, columella
reflected, inner lip glaze crossing body whorl.
MYSTIVAGOR MASTERSI, Brazier.
? Simpulopsis mastersi Brazier, Proc. Zool. Soc. (Lond.), 1872, p. 619, Nov-
ember 3. Lord Howe Island. Coll. G. Masters.
Simpulosis (?) mastersi Hedley, Rec. Austr. Mus., Vol. i. p. 141, pl. xxi., fig.
9, June, 1891. A gully on the North Ridge, among dead leaves, rare.
The type measured 34 by 23 lines, aperture 24 by 12 line. Roy Bell
sent a few specimens from the heights of Mt. Lidgbird. Series is necessary
to determine if there be any altitudinal variation.
Family HEDLEYOCONCHIDAE.
As evidencing the incompleteness of this essay, from amongst a lot of
shells from the top of Mt. Gower, two dead specimens were sorted out of a
shell apparently closely allied to the Australian Hedleyoconcha. The Aus-
tralian shells live on trees, so that may be the habitat of this species, as
tree-living snails are very difficult to observe in dense dark country.
Genus HEDLEYoconcHA, Pilsbry.
Hedleyoconcha Pilsbry, Man. Conch. (Tryon), Ser. ii., Vol. ix., p. 18, Nov-
ember 16, 1893. Orthotype, Helix delta Pfeiffer. (South Queensland.)
Shell conical, elevated, whorls little convex, periphery strongly keeled,
base rounded, mouth quadrangular, perforate, columella a little reflected
concealing umbilicus. The shells found at the island agree very well save
for the wider open umbilicus; the sculpture is also weaker but seems of the
same nature. This is an extraordinary find as hitherto Hedleyoconcha has
only been known from South Queensland and New South Wales near the
coast.
HEDLEYOCONCHA ADDITA, Sp. NOV.
(Plate xix., fig. 19.)
Shell small, conical, whorls little convex, periphery strongly keeled,
base rounded, mouth quadrangular, lower edge rounded, lip thin, columella
straight, reflected, umbilicus open, narrow, about one-seventh diameter of
base. Coloration ? brownish (dead) white. Sculpture of very fine con-
centric striae decussated by growth lines. Umbilicus narrow, deep, open.
318 THE LAND MOLLUSCA OF LORD HOWE ISLAND.
Breadth, 7.5 mm.; height, 6 mm. Found dead on top of Mt. Gower; from
habits of continental allies may live on tree trunks.
Family CHAROPIDAE.
While checking this back, I noted that Etheridge reported (p. 26): “We
failed to rediscover H. textrix Pfr., and H. cimex Pfr.” But Hedley recorded
many specimens of the former, and it is suggested that these are the shells
recorded as H. whiteleggei by Etheridge, and the later recognition of their
identity as textrix caused the transference of the name whiteleggei to the
Pseudocharopa. However, true Charopids occur on the island, one a very
handsome shell, and others more obscure.
Genus GOWEROCONCHA, 70V.
Type, G. wilsoni, nov.
Shell large, discoidal, widely umbilicate, mouth subcircular, sculpture
regular, radial ribs, interstices radially threaded, apical whorls radially
striate, sometimes appearing, at others the radials are strong, spire a little
sunken, mouth subcircular, lip thin.
The type selected is the mountain large species, as pinicola is involved
with waterhousiae in a matter of identity, fide Peile, and there is no ques-
tion of the exclusion of the large wilsoni.
GOWEROCONCHA WATERHOUSIAE, Hedley.
Endodonta waterhousiae Hedley, Rec. Austr. Mus., Vol. iii., p. 45, pl. xi., figs.
7-9, 13-14, August 5, 1897. Mt. Gower (error) = North Ridge.
Although the locality was given by Hedley as “Mt. Gower,” the speci-
mens are lowland shells from the North Ridge and elsewhere. These were
identified in Hedley’s earlier report as textrix Pfr., although not recognised
as such by Etheridge, and presumably by Brazier at first. As above noted,
Etheridge’s citation of numbers of small Helices from the North Ridge as
H. whiteleggei, and the lack of textrix Pfr., compared with the later recog-
nition of the latter, and the errors surrounding whiteleggei suggest a trans-
position of names, which however is purely historical at present, and does
not concern our nominations. Hedley gave an excellent description com-
paring it with pinicola Pfr., from the Isles of Pines, from data provided by
E. A. Smith concerning the types. Peile discusses (?) pinicola Pfr., and
concludes: “I am convinced that the locality ‘Isle of Pines’ given for pinicola
in P.Z.S. in an error.” He made no detailed examination, and did not
mention the Isle of Pines shell, though French students, e.g., Gassies, of the
New Caledonian fauna, record it as still living at the Isle of Pines. From
comparison the Lord Howe Island shell is distinct, according to Smith, as
above noted. Hedley gave anatomical details, and recorded the radula
formula as 130 x 13.8.1.8.13, with figures. Hedley observed that the initial
whorl and a half showed radial hair lines, decussated by equally fine spiral
striae. Examination of many specimens shows variation in this respect,
the basis of the scheme being a smooth initial half whorl succeeded by
radials. In some a faint microscopic decussation can be discerned, but the
radials more often become more pronounced until the protoconch may be
said to be entirely radially striate. I mention this as forms had) been
separated by means of this character.
IREDALE. 319
GOWEROCONCHA WILSONI, Sp. nov.
From the tops of the mountains, specimens occur much larger, flatter,
with the spire more sunken, and the shell more discoidal. Upon critical
examination the protoconch shows heavy radials, separable at sight from
any phase of the lowland species. Further, two whorls are thus sculp-
tured, a slight varix marking the boundary from the regular radials of the
adult, which are closer than in the preceding, especially marked on the
first adult whorl. Hedley recorded, for waterhousiae, the radial ribs, as
ninety-five on the last whorl, fifty-three on the penultimate and thirty-two
on the antepenultimate. Many have been checked and these figures are in
agreement with the average Lowland shell. Hedley’s size was also 7 mm.
by 6 mm. by 3.5 mm., while the shell from the heights goes 10 mm. by
8.75 mm. by 3.5 mm. The riblets on the first whorl of wilsoni number sixty,
on the second seventy-five, and on the last one hundred and ten to one
hundred and twenty. The coloration is bright fawn with wavy red oblique
flame markings, while the Lowland shells are dull, as Hedley described, pale
buff with madder brown markings.
The type is from the top of Mt. Lidgbird, but similar shells occur on
the top of Mt. Gower. This beautiful shell is named in memory of Gower
Wilson, under whose leadership I reached the top of Mt. Gower, where I
managed to collect some dead shells of this species, visibly separable from
the smaller lowland shells.
GOWEROCONCHA WENDA, SP. nov.
(Plate xix., fig. 17.)
Shell smaller than waterhousiae, but of that relationship, colour pale
brown. Shell small, discoid, last whorl descending a little when adult,
protoconch a little sunken, two whorls with fine almost microscopic radial
striae ending with a varix, adult sculpture of fine erect radial lirae, forty
on the first adult whorl, fifty-five on the next and seventy on the last, the
interstices with fine radial threads. Mouth subcircular, lip thin, columella
vertical. Umbilicus very wide, exposing all whorls, more than one-third of
the diameter of the shell. Breadth, 4.5 mm.; height, 2 mm. Top of Mt.
Gower.
Four species described by Pfeiffer have been included in the Lord Howe
Island fauna, and since rejected. Peile has re-examined the types and
agreeing with the elimination of three suggests the admission of the fourth,
without however furnishing any data to support his suggestion. These
four were Helix textrizx, Helix cimex, Helix caecilia and H. ignava. The
first was dismissed long ago, the last two Peile does not exactly determine
but concludes they are not natives of this island. The fourth, Helix cimez,
he states, is broken and mended, but has the aspect of some Lord Howe
Island species, and therefore may await re-discovery.
HELIX CIMEX, Reeve.
Helix cimex Reeve, Conch. Icon., Vol. vii., pl. 201, fig. 1411, December, 1854.
Lord Howe Island, New Hebrides (Cuming). Cites “Pfr., P.L.S., Nov-
ember, 1854,” but Pfeiffer’s description was read at the December meet-
ing, and published, p. 288, May 8, 1855.
No measurements were given by Reeve, who, however, gives height line
which is 4 mm., and the figure shows coarse sculpture. Pfeiffer described
his shell as being very finely striated, and measuring 3 mm. in breadth by
320 THE LAND MOLLUSCA OF LORD HOWE ISLAND.
1-1/3rd mm. in height. Nothing agreeing with these two diverse descrip-
tions is known here.
It may be noted that Helix pinicola is figured in the same place, fig.
1413, and was localised as from “Isle of Pines (Macgillivray),” Pfeiffer’s
description occurring later alongside that of H. cimez (p. 287).
Genus PULCHAROPA, 70v.
Type, P. plesa nov.
A small Charopid with distant ridges, subglobose shape, vertical
columella, umbilicus deep, crateriform, of medium width, the edges showing
a crenulate rim, lip thin, no internal teeth in mouth, which is deeper than
broad.
PULCHAROPA PLESA, Sp. NOU.
(Plate xix., fig. 22.)
Shell depressedly globose, spire almost flat, whorls convex, sutures deep,
umbilicus open, less than a third the breadth of the shell, deep, perspective,
sides steep, mouth a little deeper than broad, columulla vertical, thin, not
reflected, outer lip thin, sculpture of strong distant ribs. Coloration, dull
fawn flamed with dull red. Apex one and a half whorls large smoothish
microscopically striate radially, succeeding whorls with distant ridges,
twenty-five on the first whorl, interstices microscopically striate radially,
thirty to thirty-five ridges on next whorl, twenty-four on last three-
quarters of a whorl, more widely separated than preceding; a larger shell
with half a whorl more has mouth descending a little. Breadth, 3.5 mm.;
height, 2.25 m. Boat Harbour and North Bay. A specimen collected by C.
Hedley, without detailed location but definitely lowlands, is smaller, with
distant ribs more regularly placed and more numerous.
Genus CHAROPELLA, 70V.
Type, C. zela, nov.
Very small Charopid, somewhat discoidal in form, widely umbilicate,
periphery subkeeled, colour flammulate, mouth small, subcircular, unarmed,
lip thin, columella vertical, umbilicus wide, open, about one-third the
diameter of the shell, apical whorls smooth.
While dealing with these small Charopids a couple of items regarding
Norfolk Island forms may be interposed. Preston (Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist.,
Ser. 8, Vol. xii., p. 534, December, 1913) introduced the genus Cryptocharopa,
for a small mud-carrying form, which he called atlantoididea. Examination
of the type of Helix exagitans Cox (Proc. Zool. Soc. (Lond.), 1870, p. 82:
Norfolk Island), which is broken, shows that it is undoubtedly Preston’s
species, and Cox’s name must be revived for the type of Cryptocharopa. In
the same place Preston called another shell Charopa mathewsi, which is
somewhat like the present species, but is flatter, more discoidal, more
widely umbilicate, thin, mouth subquadrate, sculpture radials, interstices
reticulate, apical whorls smooth, and is here made the type of a new genus,
Penescosta. It is hoped to review completely the Norfolk Island Land
Mollusca at an early date.
CHAROPELLA ZELA, Sp. nov.
(Plate xix., fig. 20.)
Shell small, subdiscoidal, spire elevated a little, whorls rounded, sutures
IREDALE. 321
deep, last whorl subkeeled peripherally. Coloration, pale fawn flamed with
golden brown. Apical whorls one and a half, smooth, adult whorls three
and a half, sculptured with separate ribs closely set together, the interstices
radially striate, the ribs number about seventy on the last whorl. The
mouth subcircular, the outer lip thin, columella small, vertical, a glaze cross-
ing body whorl to edge of outer lip. Breadth, 3 mm.; height, 1.5mm. Top
of Mt. Gower.
CHAROPELLA WILKINSONI, Brazier.
Helix wilkinsoni Etheridge, Austr. Mus. Mem. No. 2, p. 26, May 1, 1889.
Nomen nudum. “A pretty, flatly coiled, and equally rare shell.”’ North
Ridge.
Helix (Charopa) wilkinsoni Brazier, ibid., pl. v., figs. 3-4.
Charopa wilkinsoni Hedley, Rec. Austr. Mus., Vol. i. p. 138, June, 1891,
described.
The figures, though reversed, showed the upper and lower surfaces of
the species Hedley described as measuring 24 x 2 x 1 mm., obtusely carinate,
yellow and red radiating dashes, microscopic costae decussated by similar
spiral lyrae (sic) umbilicus one-third.
Hedley collected some specimens about the same locality, and these
prove to be related to zela, but are much flatter, more whorls, more strongly
keeled, with finer sculpture, and with wide, open umbilicus. They measure
fully 3 mm. in breadth, with only 1 mm. in height.
Genus GYROPENA, 70U.
Type, G. verans, nov.
Small discoidal Charopids, spire sunken, mouth vertical, unarmed,
widely umbilicate, columella small, straight, apical whorls large, con-
centrically striate, sculpture of very fine, close-set ribs, too numerous to
count easily, probably about eighty on first adult whor]
GYROPENA VERANS, Sp. 10U.
(Plate xix., fig. 16.)
Shell discoidal as above. Coloration pale fawn with brown patches
which increase to uniformity. Umbilicus open, about one-third the breadth
of the shell. Breadth, 3 mm.; height, 1.25 mm. Top of Mt. Gower.
A larger one is broken but the mouth is descending.
Genus CHAROPINESTA, 70U.
Type, C. sema, nov.
Smallest Charopids, depressed turbinate, spire a little elevated, whorls
rounded, sutures deep, mouth subcircular, umbilicus narrow, deep, sculpture
fine. A series of very small Charopids with unarmed mouth recall the
armed forms from Norfolk Island and the Kermadecs, but there is an un-
armed similar one from the latter place.
CHAROPINESTA SEMA, Sp. nNOv.
(Plate xix., fig. 14.)
Very small, depressedly turbinate, as above. Coloration pale yellowish.
Sculpture very fine threads radially, no concentric striae observed. Apical
whorls smooth. Umbilicus deep, open, about one-fourth the diameter of
322 THE LAND MOLLUSCA OF LORD HOWE ISLAND.
the shell, mouth subcircular, a little large for form of shell. Breadth,
1.5 mm.; height, 1 mm. Goat Island; and on the lowlands. °
CHAROPINESTA GOWERI, Sp. N0U.
(Plate xix., fig. 15.)
Shell a little larger, similar in form, spire less elevated. Coloration
deep red-brown. Sculpture of fine threads radially, but more pronounced
and more distinct, and there appears to be a slight concentric striae
noticeable on base. Apical whorls smooth. Umbilicus deep, open, about
one-fifth the diameter of the shell, mouth subcircular, lip thin. Breadth,
2.25 mm.; height, 1 mm. Mt. Gower.
CHAROPINESTA SUAVIS, Sp. N0U.
(Plate xix., fig. 21.)
Similar to the two preceding. Coloration red-brown. Similar sculpture
of fine radial threads, most like sema, but of the size of goweri, and with
smaller umbilicus. Apical whorls faintly radially striate, the spire less
elevated than in the preceding, no concentric striae visible. Umbilicus
deep, about one-fifth the breadth of the shell. Breadth, 2.5 mm-; height,
1mm, Mt. Lidgbird, near the top.
Genus PERNASTELA, nO0U.
Type, P. charon, nov.
Shell small, conicoturbinate, whorls rounded, sutures deep, periphery
semi-keeled, base rounded, umbilicus open, deep, mouth small, rather quad-
rate, not continuous, lip thin, apex spirally striate, adult distant ribs radially.
This may be classed in the Charopidae tentatively.
PERNASTELA CHARON, SD. NOUV.
(Plate xix., fig. 23.)
Shell as above. Coloration pale fawn with darker markings. Apex
large, a little elevated, adult sculpture of rather distant ribs running into
umbilicus, which is medium, about one-fifth the diameter of the base. The
interstices between the ribs are radially threaded. Mouth rather small,
columella vertical, thin. Breadth, 3 mm.; height, 2 mm. Lowlands, near
the Pines, etc.
PERNASTELA HOWENSIS, Sp. 70U.
(Plate xix., fig. 18.)
Similar in form but with much finer sculpture. Coloration uniform
brown. Apex large, adult sculpture regular, closely set ribs running into
umbilicus, which is about one-fourth width of base. Mouth quadrangular,
columella straight, lip thin. Breadth, 3.5 mm.; height, 2mm. Heights of
Mt. Gower.
PERNASTELA GNOMA, Sp. nOv.
(Plate xix., fig. 8.)
Very small, with very coarse sculpture. Five whorls, almost shouldered,
distant ribs about twenty on last whorl, umbilicus one-fourth of the base,
mouth small, sublunar, lip thin. Breadth, 1.5 mm.; height, 1 mm. Black
Face, Mt. Lidgbird.
IREDALE. 323
Family MiIcrocystImaer.
Burrington Baker’s iconoclastic treatment of Pacific Microcystis, etc.,
has left a pile of rubble, sparing no material with which to build anew.
Consequently the real classification is left to the “guessing” conchologists,
who deal with tangible molluscan remains, and do not sport with elusive
intestinal troubles. Each anatomist himself blithely contradicts the other’s
result, while sometimes naively acknowledging his ignorance of his own
native molluscs. Of which more later.
Genus MELLOCONCHA, nov.
: Type, M. delecta, sp. nov.
Shell small, elevated conic, whorls rounded, base rounded, columella
straight, reflected, imperforate, mouth sublunar, lip thin.
This somewhat recalls Kieconcha, which, in my youth, I left unfigured
(at that time I was by no means an erudite homonymist (whatever that
may mean) ), and now remedy my error (plate xx., fig. 14) for comparison.
MELLOCONCHA DELECTA, Sp. NOV.
(Plate xx., fig. 8.)
Shell small, conic, elevated, whorls a little rounded, sutures impressed,
last whorl a little keeled, base rounded, columella straight, reflected, mouth
sublunar. There is no distinct sculpture, nor are the apical whorls dis-
tinguished from the adult whorls. There are about six whorls in all, brown
in coloration. Breadth, 5 mm.; height, 4 mm. North Bay, also on heights.
MELLOCONCHA PRENSA, Sp. N0V.
(Plate xx., fig. 9.)
Shell small, depressed, spire a little convex, whorls rounded, sutures
impressed, last whorl very rounded, base rounded, imperforate, columella
straight, reflected, thickened, mouth rather large, lip thin. Coloration pale
greenish, glossy. Whorls six, apical ones not distinct, all minutely striate.
Breadth, 7 mm.; height, 3.5 mm. North Ridge.
MELLOCONCHA GRATA, Sp. NOv.
(Plate xx., fig. 13.)
Shell small, subconical spire, whorls rounded, suture impressed, last
whorl keeled, columella a little slanting, reflected, mouth sublunar, large,
lip thin. Coloration deep bright brown. Whorls five, microscopically striate,
no difference between adult and apical whorls. Breadth, 7 mm.; height,
5mm. Mt. Gower, near the top, on moss.
Genus TRIBOCYSTIS, 720.
Type, T. rosacea, nov.
Small Microcystid shells, subdiscoidal, flattened spire, subkeeled
periphery, imperforate, columella slanting, thickened, mouth small. If we
judge by Burrington Baker’s standards each of the shells here mentioned
may be the basis of a subgenus.
TRIBOCYSTIS ROSACEA, Sp. NOv.
(Plate xx., fig. 7.)
Shell small, subdiscoidal, spire very little raised, whorls slightly convex,
324 THE LAND MOLLUSCA OF LORD HOWE ISLAND.
sutures impressed, last whorl keeled at periphery, base rounded, columella
slanting, slightly thickened. Whorls four and a half, no difference between
the apical and adult whorls, sculpture microscopic radial growth lines.
Coloration fawn with a rosy tint, darker towards the apex. Breadth, 4 mm.;
height, 1.5 mm. Lowlands, near the Pines, etc.
TRIBOCYSTIS FLAVESCENS, Sp. NOV.
(Plate xx., fig. 10.)
Shell small, larger than preceding but similar in form, spire more
elevated. Coloration pale yellowish. Whorls five and a half with no
distinction between the apical and adult ones, smooth, only faint growth
lines, columella almost vertical, a little thickened. Breadth, 6 mm.; height,
3.25 mm. Lowlands, North Ridge, etc.
TRIBOCYSTIS ALMA, Sp. NOV.
Shell very small, subdiscoidal, spire little elevated, whorls rounded,
sutures impressed, last whorl very rounded, base rounded, mouth oval,
columella slanting, thickened. Coloration yellowish fawn, glossy. Shell
smooth, sculpture only indistinct growth lines, a little more evident on the
earlier whorls, no concentric sculpture. Mouth transverse, semilunar, outer
lip thin, a fine glaze connecting the inner and outer lip across the glaze.
Breadth, 4 mm.; height, 2 mm. North Ridge.
ANNACHARIS MIRANDA, gen. et. Sp. nov.
(Plate xx., fig. 2.)
Small Microcystid with channelled sutures and thickened columella.
Shell globosely turbinate, thin, glossy greenish, spire elevated, whorls
convex, deeply channelled at sutures. Whorls six and a half. Sculpture
only growth striae. Mouth semilunate, medium size, columella slanting,
heavily callused. Breadth, 7 mm.; height, 4.5 mm. Found by Dr. W. R.
B. Oliver on the top of Mt. Gower. Also on the top of Mt. Lidgbird by
Roy Bell.
All the preceding agree in being imperforate, and may be more or less
generally related to each other, but the next two stand quite apart, and it
would be interesting to compare anatomical reports from two sources.
Genus DIGNAMOCONCHA, 70v.
Type, D. dulcissima, nov.
Shell small, delicate, thin, flat-topped, periphery sharply keeled, sloping
inwards, a little convexly, to deep wide crateriform umbilicus, mouth
quadrate, lip thin. Sculpture, delicate decussation.
DIGNAMOCONCHA DULCISSIMA, Sp. nOv.
(Plate xx., fig. 6.)
Shell small, whorls very slightly convex, spire little elevated, periphery
with fine pinched keel, below sloping inwards until stopped by another
sharp keel bordering a broad craterlike umbilicus, deep, perspective, dis-
closing all whorls to apex, columella slanting upwards, a little reflected,
mouth quadrangular, lip thin. Coloration greyish-fawn flamed with
brownish. Apical whorls two, adult whorls three. Sculpture of minute
radial threads crossed by minute concentric striae, the under-surface
showing the threads more prominently. Breadth, 6 mm.; height, 3 mm.
IREDALE. 325
From top of Mt. Lidgbird. An odd specimen from top of Mt. Gower. There
is a tendency for the last whorl to descend with age.
Genus DELICIOLA, 7ov.
Type, D. charis, nov.
Shell minute, subdiscoidal, flat-topped, apex a little elevated, periphery
strongly keeled, base very convex, umbilicus small, deep, mouth a little
broader than high, columella straight, lip thin.
DELICIOLA CHARIS, Sp. NOv.
(Plate xx., fig. 12.)
General features of shell as above. Colour greenish-fawn. Adult
whorls two and a quarter, one and a half apical whorls smooth. Sculpture
of upper surface radial threads closely set, a little raised, forming a
peripheral fringe, a slight depression preceding the keel, sutures deep;
sculpture of base microscopical radials. Breadth, 2 mm.; height, 1 mm.
Family ZONITIDAE.
Etheridge wrote, p. 26: “On the low grounds at the northern end of the
island, amongst cultivated ground, a small species was found in numbers
to which the name of H. Unwini Brazier, is attached.” This is a nomen
nudum. On plate iv., figs. 5-6, Helix (Patula) Unwini Brazier, is figured
(reversed). Hedley described the species under the genus Patula. Now
Peile, from examination of a series sent by Brazier, states that this is the
American shell, Zonitoides minusculus Binney. Now we really find trouble
as this species had been made the type of a genus, Pseudovitrea, by Baker,
the type of Zonitoides being the shell known as nitida Muller. By the way,
I noticed that Taylor stated the Australian shell known as nitida Muller,
is not that species, but alliaria Miller. Then Baker further states that the
Hawaiian shell, kawdiensis Pfr., i.e, Reeve, made the basis of a new genus,
Hawaiia, by Gude, is identical with the American minusculus, though be it
noted it is half as big again as the latter, different colour, form, etc. Con-
sequently, if Baker be followed, Helix unwini Brazier, should be regarded as
a synonym of Hawaiia minusculus Binney. It may be remarked that Baker
places Hawaiia in a separate subfamily from Zonitoides. In the same place
Baker apologises for the ignorance of palaearctic forms, while sweeping
through the Pacific fauna like a bush-fire.
Roy Bell found the species in the Old Settlement living alongside
Vallonia, sp. I should determine this as pulchella Miller, but it seems diffi-
cult for British conchologists to separate this species from excentrica Sterki,
as some regarded Norfolk Island shells as the latter. Perhaps both “species”
occur in the Australasian localities as Sterki always found them together in
Kurope and America. ]
Family NITORIDAE.
To this family is allotted the species named catletti and its allies. The
Species are larger than the Microcystids, and have a different appearance,
though their general characters are very similar, but the animals have been
stated to differ by anatomists, who, however, as usual, disagree.
Genus INNESOCONCHA, nov.
Type, H. catletti, Brazier.
Shell small, but always larger than species of Microcystis (s.1.), sub-
326 THE LAND MOLLUSCA OF LORD HOWE ISLAND.
discoidal to subconical, whorls rounded, periphery keeled, base rounded,
imperforate, mouth transversely semilunar, edge of lip thin, columella
slanting, thickened. Animal viviparous, young being found in the adult
shells.
INNESOCONCHA CATLETTI, Brazier.
Helix (Microcystis) catletti Brazier, Proc. Zool. Soc. (Lond.), 1872, p. 617,
November 3. Lord Howe Island, off the coast N.S.W. (Coll. Austr.
Mus.) .
Microcystis catletti Hedley, Rec. Austr. Mus., Vol. i., p. 137, pl. xxi., fig. 5,
June 30, 1891. (Rabbit Island.).
The measurements are 4 by 34 by 24 lines, i.e., 8 by 7 by 4.5 mm., a
somewhat conical shell. This was recognised as from Goat Island, as
Etheridge wrote: “The little Rabbit or Goat Island does not appear to have
a species peculiar to itself, for H. catletti Brazier, the common species here,
occurs on the main island.” However, when the mainland shells were com-
pared, they were found to be larger and comparatively less elevated, and
were named
MICROCYSTIS CATLETTI var. MAJOR, Hedley,
in the Rec. Austr. Mus., Vol. i., p. 137, June, 1891, from the Old Settlement.
This has been re-named subconica, measuring 11 mm. by 10 mm. by 6
mm., on account of the invalid varietal name. Hedley used the genus
Microcystina, in the explanation to plate.
INNESOCONCHA SEGNA, Sp. 20U.
Specimens from Boat Harbour, an inlet on the south-east coast, differ
in their large size, flattened form and glossy surface. Coloration pale green.
Subdiscoidal, spire a little elevated, periphery very slightly keeled, base
rounded, mouth rather large, transverse, columella slanting, thickened and
toothed, and leaving no signs of chink seen in preceding. Breadth, 11.5 mm.;
6.5 mm.
INNESOCONCHA PRINCEPS, Sp. 20D.
(Plate xx., fig. 5.)
Another large species from the heights of Mt. Gower differs at sight
in its bright coloration, being banded with brown and white. Shell sub-
discoidal, spire a little elevated, very slight peripheral keel, mouth smaller
than in preceding, columella less slanting, scarcely thickened. Whorls six,
no demarcation between apical and adult, sutures lightly impressed. Shell
smooth, only indistinct growth lines present. Breadth, 10 mm.; height,
5.5 mm. Heights of Mt. Gower.
INNESOCONCHA ABERRANS, Sp. 720U.
(Plate xx., fig. 15.)
Shell strongly elevated, conical, whorls little convex, sutures light, last
whorl keeled at periphery, base rounded. Coloration brown. Whorls six,
no apical distinction, sculpture microscopic radial growth lines forming
matt surface, mouth large, columella almost straight, thin. Breadth, 7 mm.;
height, 6 mm. Black Face, Mt. Lidgbird.
Family GuDEOCONCHIDAE.
The beautiful large shell called Helix sophiae by Gaskoin, the name
however first published by Reeve, seems to be referable exactly to no
IREDALE. 327
expressed family, although its anatomy is known. As a matter of fact that
seems to complicate matters, so that it seems best to allow it a family for
itself until the anatomists decide.
Genus GUDEOCONCHA, nov.
Type, Helix sophiae, Reeve.
Shell large, thin, whorls few, spire a little elevated, last whorl dis-
proportionally large, mouth large, broader than long, lip thin, columella
slanting, a little reflected, umbilicus present but very small.
The animal was figured by Cox (Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., Ser. 2, Vol. ii.,
p. 1061, pl. xx., figs. 8-9, 1888), as a species of Helicarion on account of its
external form. Hedley, after dissecting ‘the species in connection with other
snails, concluded “Sophiae, howinsulae and hilli are allied species, and are
rather too dissimilar to the type of Helicarion to be admitted into that
genus. I prefer to leave them at present under Nanina, using the name in
its widest significance.” The radula formula was given for the var. conica
as 140 rows of 70:26:1:26:70.
GUDEOCONCHA SOPHIAE, Reeve.
Helix sophiae Reeve, Conch. Icon., Vol. vii., pl. 196, fig. 1377, December, 1854.
Lord Howe Island. Macgillivray.
Helix sophiae Gaskoin, Proc. Zool. Soc. (Lond.), 1854, p. 152, April 11, 1855.
Lord Howe Island. (1-8/10th in. by 6/10th inch.).
Helicarion sophiae Cox, Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., Ser. 2, Vol. ii., p. 1061, pl.
xx., figs. 8-9, 1888.
Nanina sophiae Hedley, Rec. Austr. Mus., Vol. i., p. 135, June 30, 1891.
The type, figured by Reeve, was a large Lowland shell, with spire a
little elevated and the figure’s measurements equal, 30 mm. by 20 mm. It
was very common and variable, but the variation was not collated with
locality, save in the case of the Rabbit or Goat Island form, which Brazier
called NANINA SOPHIAE var. CONIcA, figured in the Museum Report, pl. v., figs.
5, 6, while Hedley in the Records of the Aust. Mus., Vol. i., p. 135, pl. xxi.,
fig. 3 (jaw), and pl. xxii., fig. 7 (radula), June 30, 1891, figured the jaw and
radula, giving the formula as above.
Anywhere else these would be easily regarded as distinct, the measure-
ments, 30 by 20 mm., and 25 by 19 mm., giving little real idea of the dis-
tinctive appearance. Roy Bell sent many specimens from the heights of
the mountains of a larger size and more depressed appearance, but the
most marked form was one from the little Slope of Mt. Gower which was
named
GUDEOCONCHA MAGNIFICA.
This is much larger, mouth more expanded, spire more depressed, shell
thinner and sculptured with very fine ripple marks, and of bronze colora-
tion, the shell showing little calcification, the type measuring 39 mm. by 19
mm., with the aperture 23 mm. by 14 mm.
The juvenile of all the forms is seen as a flat-topped shell, the apical
whorls slightly elevated, a strong peripheral keel with the base very convex,
a small umbilicus, the columella only slightly reflected: first one and a half
whorls smoothish ending with a slight varix, the succeeding adult sculpture
of obsolete radials, a pronounced small tucker along the edge of the peri-
328 THE LAND MOLLUSCA OF LORD HOWE ISLAND.
phery; the under-surface finely radially striate crossed by fine concentric
striae. With age the whorls descend, the mouth broadens, peripheral keel
disappears and umbilicus almost vanishes.
Family EPIGLYPTIDAE.
Although Hedley denied the association of this species with Helicarion,
Baker interprets his denial thus: “As indicated by Hedley, Epiglypta,
although a distinct genus, must be quite closely related to Helicarion.” Such
an interpretation is inadmissible as the Helicarions, as loosely understood
at present, constitute a confused series of similar shell construction, which
is quite unlike Epiglypta in every detail. The introduction of the name
Epiglypta is worthy of quotation in view of the many recriminations in
recent years. Pilsbry, in the Man. Conch. (Tryon), Ser. 2, Vol. viii., p. 133,
February 25, 1893, included “Vol. iii., p. 90. H. howinsulae is a species of
Nanina, and the type of the section Epiglypta Pils.” Referring back to Vol.
iii., p. 90, among the unfigured species is the name “H. howinsulae Cox.
Lord Howe Island.”
As a matter of fact, this is a very beautiful shell of outstanding dis-
tinction with no relationship to any Helicarionid. Shell large, thin,
depressed Helicoid, upper surface convex, lower surface more convex, a
notable fringed peripheral keel separating the upper highly sculptured sur-
face from the lower smooth surface, mouth large, open, very little broader
than deep, columella sloping, a little reflected, almost concealing the
umbilical chink.
Hedley gave the radula formula as 120 rows of $0.24.1.24.90, and
Baker counted 103.25.1.25.103.
EPIGLYPTA HOWINSULAE, Cox.
Helix howinsulae Cox, Proc. Zool. Soc. (Lond.), 1873, p. 148, June. Ona
mountain, Lord Howe Island.
Helix howinsulae Cox, Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., Ser. 2, Vol. iv., p. 660, pl. xix.,
figs. 10-11, 1890. (Upper and lower surfaces.)
Nanina howinsulae Hedley, Rec. Austr. Mus., Vol. ii., p. 135, pl. 21, fig. 7; pl.
22, figs. 5-8, June 30, 1891. (Anatomy.)
Epiglypta howinsulae Baker, Bernice P. Bishop Mus., Bull. 166, p. 264, pl. 47,
figs. 1-3, 1941. (Anatomy.)
The shell is a bright red brown in colour, the upper surface sculptured
with numerous wavy ribs, which strongly crenulate the keeled periphery. It
has been long known as living on the heights of Mt. Gower, and when Roy
Bell scaled the hitherto inaccessible peak of Mt. Lidgbird, and found the
species living there, specimens were critically examined, but not the
slightest variation could be determined.
The immature proves to be planulate above, convex below, narrowly
openly umbilicate, columella slightly reflected exactly as in adult; first
whorl smoothish convex, sometimes faintly radiate, developing an ante-
peripheral groove and stronger radials, which developed into the adult
sculpture and ornament the periphery, under surface showing radials
faintly. With age the whorls descend a little to provide the convex upper
surface, the mouth descending, the columella thickening and entirely cover-
ing the umbilicus. Breadth, 38 mm.; height, 20 mm.
Family HELICARIONIDAE.
This is by no means the “family” so-called by Baker, which is a pot
IREDALE. 329
pourri, composed of imaginary genital complexes (or perplexes), which
have been dissected out of discordant molluscan shell remains.
The present family is restricted to shells generally agreeing with that
of Helicarion, s. str., but even with this limitation it cannot be considered
a homogeneous association. However, we have one factor in our favour,
Helicarion was based on an Australian development, and these may be
related.
Genus HOWEARION, 70v.
Type, Howearion belli, nov.
A flat-topped semi-globose Helicarion with a radula formula of 163
rows of 430.24.1.24.430. The immense’ number of marginals easily distin-
guish this form, as other Helicarion-like genera have very different formulae,
e.g., Vercularion, 103.17.1.17.103, Mistarion, 45.18.1.18.45, and Ellarion,
20.12.1.12.20.
Dendrolamellaria Preston, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., Ser. 8, Vol. xii., p. 522,
December 1, 1913, with type, D. mathewsi Preston, from Norfolk Island, has
a very different shell, while the Kermadec H. kermadecensis Smith, is
smaller, very thin, more convex spire, more globose, base even thinner, and
may be distinguished as Kermarion, gen. nov.
HOWEARION BELLI, Sp. NOV.
(Plate xx, fig. 3.)
Shell thin, subglobose, spire a little elevated, mouth large, a little
rounded, columella curved, not reflected. Coloration shining green. Sur-
face smooth. Breadth, 15 mm.; height, 10 mm. Top of Mt. Gower.
HOWEARION HILLI, Cox.
Helicarion hilli Cox, Proc. Zool. Soc. (Lond.), 1873, p. 151, pl. 16, figs. 7a-b,
June. “On the top of a high mountain, Lord Howe Island.”
Cox wrote: “Striped with lines of growth transversely, and longi-
tudinally at irregular intervals with fine waved lines.” Size, .34 in. by .25
in. by .14in. This is a small shell, equalling 8.5 x 6.25 x 3.5 mm., but the
illustration, supposed to be natural size, is double that, and there appears
to be confusion once again with the locality, as Etheridge wrote, p. 26: “On
the lower grounds. . . we also found Helicarion Hilli, Cox, but did not trace
it above a height of 400 to 500 feet.”
The lowland shell, dissected by Hedley, and recorded as Nanina hilli,
Rec. Austr. Mus., Vol. i., p. 136, pl. xxii., fig. 6 (jaw), pl. xxii., fig. 2 (radula),
June 30, 1891, differs from the highland form in its lower spire and broader
mouth, as figured by Cox, and especially by the well-marked, though
microscopic, concentric wavy striae.
A normal specimen measures 18 mm. in breadth by 8 mm. in height,
and is very pale greenish, and was called palmarum, the exact identity of
hilli being doubtful.
Genus PARMELLOPS, nov.
Type, Parmella etheridgei, Hedley.
Hedley fully described a curious mollusc, under the above name, as
cited below, and referred it to Parmella, introduced by H. Adams, Proc. Zool.
Soc. (Lond.) , 1867, p. 308, pl. xix., fig. 20, October 22, from Fiji. Baker, how-
330 THE LAND MOLLUSCA OF LORD HOWE ISLAND.
ever, regards the Fijian shell as “Genus and species remain nomina dubia.
However, a Helicarion-like derivative of Orpiella would not be surprising.”
Shell almost planate, few whorls, last very large, outer edge a little
curved, base missing, sculpture of growth lines only, a thin golden perio-
stracum present in life. Radula formula of 145 rows of 300.15.1.15.300.
Hedley referred the species “to a distinct and well-defined genus of the
Helicarioninae,’ and the genus is included in the family Helicarionidae, as
here restricted.
PARMELLOPS AUSTRALIS, Reeve.
Vitrina australis Reeve, Conch. Icon., Vol. xiii., pl. x., sp. 70, May, 1862.
Eastern Australia.
Vitrina etheridgei Etheridge, Austr. Mus. Mem. No. 2, p. 26, May 1, 1889.
Nomen nudum. Lower grounds, Lord Howe Island.
Vitrina (Parmella) Etheridgei Brazier, ibid., pl. v., fig. 9.
Parmella etheridgei Hedley, Rec. Austr. Mus., Vol. i., p. 78, pl. xi., September,
1890. (Anatomy).
Etheridge wrote: “A fine new species of Vitrina was found on the stems
and leaf sheaths of the palms growing on the lower grounds, and is called
by Mr. Brazier, Vitrina Etheridgei.” This is a nomen nudum. Brazier’s
figure shows the interior, and Hedley gave a sketch of the external appear-
ance while fully discussing the anatomy, and referring it to Parmella, an-
other account scorned by Baker.
CONCLUSIONS.
The main conclusion is that there is much to be yet discovered about
this faunula, and, while the Placostylus indicates New Caledonia as its
source, Lord Howe Island must be the remnant of a much larger piece of
land, and that the separation must be of very ancient date. To discuss the
pros and cons of this molluscan fauna alone would occupy many pages.
Thus, the evolution of Epiglypta and Gudeoconcha must have taken much
time, and while it seems the former has reached stabilisation, the latter is
still showing local variation. So far no suggestion as to their relationship
has been made, worthy of consideration, Baker’s allusion to Epiglypta being
somewhat grotesque. Again the family Pseudocharopidae is anomalous,
the half dozen species being well differentiated, indicating a long time
necessity. As to the many smaller land shells there can be little com-
parison until the islands to the north are better searched. The only fact is
that they have very little in common with the small forms collected at
Norfolk Island and at the Kermadec Islands, nor are they at all like the
small species Known from the east coast of Australia. Many small shells
have been collected in New Caledonia, but there is much yet to be done
there, and it is possible still that relatives may occur in that place. An
interesting ground for study is the coral sand rock which has already re-
vealed many species as noted in an appendix attached hereto.
APPENDIX I.
Subfossil Mouiuusca.
Etheridge discussed in detail the Coral-sand Rock Series, which is “the
chief fossiliferous deposit on the island. It has yielded the remains of
Meiolania, eggs of turtles, bird-bones, and recent species of both land and
IREDALE. 331
marine shells. . . . The balance of evidence may, I think, be said to weigh
in favour of the aeolian origin of the Lord Howe coral-sand rock. . . . The
abundance of bird-bones and land shells, with the more or less perfect
preservation of the latter. . . . The samples examined allowed the dis-
crimination of many land shells.”
Etheridge reported upon the fossil form of the Placostylus, but nothing
appears to have been recorded about the “many land shells’ discriminated.
Roy Bell found one place “near Johnson’s” or “below Johnson’s and T. B.
Wilson’s,” and carefully collected many of the smaller shells with rather
Surprising results that deserve record for future investigation. More re-
cently, Captain McComish found Suan shells at the foot of a cliff in
Middle Beach, 70 feet high.
All the shells are more solid than recent specimens, and this seems to
be a constant feature of subfossil remains, some calcification taking place
after the death of the snails, not before. As instance, in these lots there
are many strongly calcified Parmellops and Howearion, which in life show
very little calcification. The occurrence of so many of these frail molluscan
shells is remarkable, while they definitely indicate the aeolian nature of the
rock. Their plenitude is also strongly confirmatory of that view. The next
remarkable feature is the presence of species at present rarely found, and
suggest widely spread distribution, and also, perhaps, our incomplete know-
ledge of this small island molluscan fauna. Thus, Dignamoconcha
dulcissima was only found on the top of Mt. Gower, and rarely the top of
Mt. Lidgbird, yet it is not uncommon in both Roy Bell’s collection, and in
Captain McComish’s series. Another Pulcharopa plesa is known from only
a few recent specimens from North Bay, North Ridge and Boat Harbour,
but is quite common, probably the commonest, shell in Roy Bell’s selection.
The full list picked out reads Palaina m. semilevis, P. levicostulata, P.
howeinsulae, P. nicholsae, Placostylus bivaricosus var. solida, Goweroconcha
waterhousiae, Pulcharopa plesa, Pernastela charon, Melloconcha delecta,
Tribocystis rosacea, Innesoconcha “major,” Dignamoconcha dulcissima,
Gudeoconcha sophiae, Howearion hilli, and Parmellops australis.
One or two others not determinable occur, but a disturbing find was of
two of the problematical wnwini. More research is necessary to prove if
these were in situ or were derivative. If the former, a revision of Hawaiia
may become necessary.
Another curious factor to be considered is the occurrence of numerous
small fresh water shells all over the island, which show variation in every
locality. These are mentioned in a succeeding Appendix.
APPENDIX II.
The fact that there are fresh water shells at all on the island is really
surprising, so that they may be here mentioned, as their occurrence is note-
worthy in many ways. The same confusion arose with these as with the
land shells. Etheridge reported (p. 27): “Under very trying circumstances
we were fortunate enough to discover fresh water non-pulmoniferous forms
at a considerable height on the eastern flanks of Mt. Lidgbird in steep
gullies running down to the shore. These consisted of two species of
Bythinella, crawling over stones. One, a spirally striated shell, with a deep
suture, will be described as B. Whiteleggei, by Mr. Brazier, and the other as
B. Ramsdii.” There is nothing much determinable here, and the illustrations
(reversed) are not much more helpful, as Bythynella ramsaii Brazier, pl.
332 THE LAND MOLLUSCA OF LORD HOWE ISLAND.
iv., figs. 15, 16, enlarged, “ x 3,” measures 13 x 8 = 4-1/3rd x 2-2/3rd mm.,
and Bythynella whiteleggei Brazier, pl. iv., figs. 17, 18, “ x 4,” measures
12 x 7 = 3 x 13 mm., the latter being apparently smaller and with deeper
sutures.
Hedley fully described, but again altered the habitats, whiteleggei “from
the creeks to the north of the Old Settlement,” size 2 x 1 mm., and ram-
sayi “Eastern flanks of Mt. Lidgbird,” size 4 x 2 mm., the former “strongly
sculptured,” the latter with faint striae.
There are obviously two series, a narrow elongate form and a broader
bulkier one, apparently represented by whiteleggei and ramsayi respectively.
These are found in most streams, and have evolved colonies in most of them
so constant that no fewer than six names were introduced, together with a
special generic name. To stabilise the matter so that it will assist later
investigations these names are published.
Fluviorissoina, gen. nov. Shell small, few whorls, mouth oval, almost
free, breadth more than half length, sculpture of concentric striae.
The type may be selected as B. ramsaii. B. whiteleggei is more cylin-
drical, smaller mouth, mouth similar but less produced, more whorls, and
breadth not much more than half height. The sutures generally- not very
deep. The generic name Pupidrobia is introduced for this group; type, P.
gracilis, nov., to mark the distinction for comparison.
When these two occur together, as on the Little Slope, they are easily
separable in size, as well as in form, so that we have
Fluviorissoina oscitans, nov. Small and broad; length, 3 mm.; breadth,
2mm.
Pupidrobia gracilis, nov. Larger and narrower; length, 3.5 mm.,
breadth, 1.5 mm.
The largest, however, is a Fluviorissoina, from Bird Point, which
measures in length 4.5 mm., breadth 2.25 mm., which is almost the type
form of ramsaii. It may be noted that specimens from the Erskine Valley
were regarded as typical at that time. Hedley transferred the locality of
whiteleggei to the creeks of the Old Settlement, with size 2.5 mm. by 1 mm.,
but much larger shells from thereabouts measuring 3.5 mm. by 2 mm. were
named Pupidrobia pupa, nov.
The species of Fluviorissoina from the same locality measured 3 mm. by
1.75 mm., and were called royana, nov. A small species was found on the
top of Mt. Gower, measuring 2.5 mm. by 1.5 mm., and was named pusillior,
nov.
This leaves the Erskine Valley shells, which may provide still more
variations, and if a mathematical census were undertaken the results would
be astonishing. So far all the samples studied show comparative constancy,
a series of some hundred examples from the Erskine Valley being all
Fluviorissoina, broad like oscitans, but a little shorter, and have been called
obesa, nov., the shell measuring 2.75 mm. in length by 2 mm. in breadth.
The nearest relative appears to be Hydrobia gentilsiana Crosse, Journ.
de Conch., Vol. xxii., p 112, January 1, 1874, figured, p. 395, pl. xii., fig. 9,
October 1, 1874, measuring 3 mm. by 1.5 mm., from Oubatche, New Cale-
donia. The genus Hemistomia Crosse, ibid., Vol. xx., pl. 72, p. 352, pl. xvVi.,
fig. 8, January-October, 1872, with species, caledonica, measuring 2.5 mm,
IREDALE. 333
by .75 mm., seems the most nearly allied genus, and it may be that Hetero-
eyclus Crosse, ibid., Vol. xx., p. 156, pl. xvi., fig. 6, 1872, may also be related.
APPENDIX III. :
Among a series of Tornatellinids taken from a cut on a tree “Near the
Pines” was one specimen of an Imputegla, and I was inclined to neglect it,
but specimens have now been discovered in the wilds of North-western
Australia by Dr. Consett Davis. This suggests that the Lord Howe speci-
men represents an endemic species so it is here described.
IMPUTEGLA EVADA, Sp. N0V.
Shell small, subglobose, subperforate, thin, translucent, brown. Whorls
three, well rounded, suture distinct. Sculpture of very fine striae, no
lamellae present. Outer lip thin, columella straight, reflexed, concealing
umbilical chink. Shell covered with earthy particles as usual. Breadth, 1.5
mm.; height, 1 mm.
The genus Imputegla Iredale (Austr. Zool., Vol. viii., p. 305, March 12,
1937), for P. circumlitum Hedley, belongs to the family Pupisomidae.
EXPLANATION OF PLATE XVII.
Fig. 1. Mount Lidgbird and Mount Gower from Old Settlement beach,
looking southward, Goat Island (or Rabbit Island) on right.
Fig. 2. North Ridge and Mount Eliza from the Lower Road, Wall of Mount
Lidgbird at right, looking over lagoon.
Fig. 3. Southern Razor Back of Mount Gower.
Fig. 4. Vegetation, S.W. Recess of Mount Gower.
EXPLANATION OF PLATE XVIII.
Monterissa gowerensis, Iredale.
Opinorelia howeinsulae, Iredale.
Limborelia innesi, Iredale.
Tornelasmias lidgbirdense, Iredale.
Elasmias schola, Iredale.
Tornelasmias capricorni, Iredale.
. Tornelasmias capricorni, Iredale. Mouth of immature.
Tornelasmias inconspicuum, Brazier.
Palaina capillacea, Pfeiffer.
Palaina nicholsae, Iredale.
» 10. Palaina howeinsulae, Iredale.
, 11. Palaina waterhousei, Iredale.
, 12. Pdadlaina macgillivrayi semilevis, Iredale.
, 13. Palaina levicostulata, Iredale.
, 14. Palaina edwardi, Iredale.
» 15. Palaina deliciosa, Iredale.
» 16. Palaina macgillivrayi, Pfeiffer.
» 17. Palaina macgillivrayi pusillior, Iredale.
OHOIPAM RW HE
EXPLANATION OF PLATE XIX.
1. Palaina padda, Iredale.
2. Palaina lucia, Iredale.
, 3. Palaina capillacea definita, Iredale.
4. Palaina embra, Iredale.
THE LAND MOLLUSCA OF LORD HOWE ISLAND.
Allenella belli, Iredale.
Alleneila belli extra, Iredale.
Paralaoma royi, Iredale.
Pernastela gnoma, Iredale.
Allenella formalis, Iredale.
Paralaoma abjecta, Iredale.
Paralaoma innesi, Iredale.
Paralaoma tidgbirdensis, Iredale.
Paralaoma compar, Iredale.
Charopinesta sema, Iredale.
Charopinesta gower7i, Iredale.
Gyropena verans, Iredale.
Goweroconcha wenda, Iredale.
Pernastela howensis, Iredale.
Hedleyoconcha addita, Iredale.
Charopella zela, Iredale.
Charopinesta suavis, Iredale.
Pulcharopa plesa, Iredale.
Pernastela charon, Iredale.
EXPLANATION OF PLATE XxX.
Pseudocharopa (whiteleggei) editior, Iredale.
Annacharis miranda, Iredale.
Howearion belli, Iredale.
Pseudocharopa imperator, Iredale.
Innesoconcha princeps, Iredale.
Dignamoconcha dulcissima, Iredale.
Tribocystis rosacea, Iredale.
Melloconcha delecta, Iredale.
Melloconcha prensa, Iredale.
Tribocystis flavescens, Iredale.
Pseudocharopa gowerensis, Iredale.
Deliciola charis, Iredale.
Melloconcha grata, Iredale.
Kieconcha kermadeci, Pfeiffer.
Innesoconcha aberrans, Iredale.
PLATE VIII
Vol. x.
,
THE AUSTRALIAN ZOOLOGIST
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PLATE IX.
Vol. x.
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THE AUSTRALIAN ZOOLOGIST
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THE AUSTRALIAN ZOOLOGIST, Vol. x.
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‘HE AUSTRALIAN ZOOLOGIST, Vol. x.
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WOT] PoulTVijseI IayeakaUOH psoeVj-MOT[IA (P) “SuNOA SUIPSsey IayvaAaUOH YUasey (q)
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‘layeak9uUOH YUasIYy JO ISIN (9d)
PLATE XII.
Vol. x.
I
THE AUSTRALIAN ZOOLOGIST
*‘[el197e UW
SUTIJSIU SUTYVES JoyVahaUOH psaies-9UM
‘Iayeak9uUOH poaies-ayIyM
PLATE XIII.
Vol. x.
THE AUSTRALIAN ZOOLOGIST,
‘4qsou ye JIayvaAauoH payseyo-a1lUM
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JajyeaAou0H ~pap.aieeq
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PLATE XIV.
THE AUSTRALIAN ZOOLOGIST, Vol. x.
Young Soldier Birds.
THE AUSTRALIAN ZOOLOGIST, Vol. x. PLATE XV.
“Jackson.”
“Tom,” whose skeleton is in the
Eden Museum.
a,
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“Hooky.” ‘“Humpy” chasing the Whale.
The Killer Whales of Eden, N.S.W.
—Photographs by C. E. Wellings, Eden.
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SSIS EA|
THE AUSTRALIAN ZOOLOGIST, Vol. x.
Indian Killer Whale Designs.
Copied from “The South Australian Naturalist,” Vol. 22, No. 2.
PLATE
By permission.
XVI.
THE AUSTRALIAN ZOOLOGIST, VOl. x. PLATE XVII.
Mounts Lidgbird and Gower.
Lord Howe Island.
View of the Lagoon and Rabbit
Island from the Lower Road.
Characteristic Vegetation of Lord Howe Island.
South-eastern Spur of Mt. Gower,
Photographs by Roy Bell
and A. R, McCulloch.
THE AUSTRALIAN ZOOLOGIST, Vol. x. PLATE XVIII.
foie adn.
Land Mollusca of Lord Howe Island.
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THE AUSTRALIAN ZOOLOGIST, Vol. x. PLATE XIX,
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Land Mollusca of Lord Howe Island.
THE AUSTRALIAN ZOOLOGIST, Vol. x. PLATE Xx.
Land Mollusca of Lord Howe Island.
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